Dry Ice

[thaeni]

I sail out of Chicago and find it hard to get block ice. I have never used
dry ice and would like some information on how it works and if it's safe to
use.
Thanks

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I used it once for camping. It is nice not to have water in the bottom of the cooler. It did have an interesting affect on the eggs. The gases got thru the shells and when they were fried, the eggs were full of tiny bubbles. There were no other side affects.

 

[Rick D]

I used to use it before I had refrigeration, but mostly for a separate storage of frozen stuff in an ice chest that I had outside the cabin for longer trips. I never felt comfortable having it below. It worked great. I used newspaper below and on top of the food and dry ice for additional insulation. I can't remember why; I think it was someone's recommendation. As for below, I always tried to get good, clear block ice. It would last a good five plus days (unless we had kids aboard who got in and out all the time). I suppose you can still get quality ice, but I suspect you'd have to go to a commercial ice facility to get it. I haven't seen it in a long time.

 

[robertsapp]

So here's the theory. Most ice boxes drain to the bilge. Dry ice doesn't melt, it sublimes (evaporates) into carbon dioxide gas. This gas will flow out the drain and fill the bilge, displacing oxygen. In time, enough CO2 can accumulate to suffocate you while sleeping, especially in an aft cabin with its berth close to the sole. Could it happen? Seems like it could. Has it happened? Not sure, but I personally don't want to experiment with it to find out. I've considered using it in a cooler in the cockpit, but just don't feel comfortable having it down below.

 

[kloudie1]

Thaeni.. Look for a place that supplies block ice for snowcone stands. That is where I find the best block ice locally. They make it in nice 6# blocks shaped like a half gallon milk container, only longer.. The ice is shaped to go into the shaver and is a standard size. It stacks just fine in the box on the boat.
We've used dry ice in a separate icechest to keep things frozen for a while on longer trips.. but keep the boat open and well ventilated because the CO2 will collect in the bilge and can be a suffocation hazard..

 

[Catnip]

I have used it. Kept in a small cooler under nav station on several day voyage. I didn't realize it was hazardous, except it can quickly burn (freeze) unprotected bare skin. I think the biggest hazard is to your wallet. $20 for a very small cooler. Gone in 3 days. But I did have a couple dollars worth of ice cream without a freezer.

 

[Buck420]

I sail out of Chicago and find it hard to get block ice. I have never used
dry ice and would like some information on how it works and if it's safe to
use.
Thanks

From the Archives :

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=595567&highlight=Dry Ice

 

[robertsapp]

Not trying to be smart or anything, but if you want block ice, why not fill some empty milk jugs and put them in the freezer? We usually throw three or four frozen gallon milk jugs in our icebox, and they last three or four days.