6 Things to Know About Using Dry Ice in a Standard Cooler

Keep the lid cracked or the drain plug open Dry ice sublimates into CO2 gas. If the cooler is airtight, pressure can build up and pop the lid off or crack the plastic.

Line the bottom with cardboard or newspaper Dry ice is -109°F and can crack plastic cooler surfaces if placed directly on them. A layer of cardboard prevents that.

Place dry ice on top of your items, not underneath Cold sinks down, so putting dry ice on top keeps everything colder longer. Avoid placing it next to food you don’t want freeze-burned.

Expect 24 to 36 hours of cooling in a standard 50-quart cooler A 10-pound block lasts about a day in a rotomolded cooler like a Coleman or Igloo. In a cheap foam cooler, expect only 12 hours.

Every time you open the lid, you shorten the cooling time Frequent peeks let cold escape and speed up sublimation. Open sparingly for best results.

A standard cooler works fine for a single day, but not multi-day trips For a day at the beach or a tailgate, a 5-pound block with a cracked lid is enough. For camping trips, invest in a proper insulated cooler like a Yeti.