I learned this the hard way. I packed a cooler for a road trip, sealed it tight, and tossed it in the trunk. Three hours later, I opened it and the lid exploded into the air like a cannonball.
My friend yelled, “It’s a sign from aliens!” No, it was just physics—the sublime gas needed an exit, and my cooler became a rocket. So, leave the lid slightly ajar, or drill a tiny hole for pressure relief.
Still, the payoff is glorious. Your beer stays colder than a penguin’s toes, and the fog rolls out when you open the cooler. You’ll look like a mad scientist at a tailgate party.
Surprising Facts to Impress Your Friends
Dry ice was used to preserve NASA’s moon rocks. So your cooler is basically a lunar vault. You’re welcome.
It’s also what makes the “smoke” in stage shows and haunted houses. If you ever see a ghost at a concert, it’s probably a block of dry ice and a strobe light. Boo-urns.
One pound of dry ice can create 250 liters of gas. That’s enough to inflate fifty party balloons—or one very confused inflatable dinosaur.
How To Use Dry Ice In a Cooler: Step-by-Step Guide