How long dry ice lasts depends primarily on two factors: how it is stored and the size of the brick. The following table for how long dry ice lasts is based on an average two-kilogram brick of dry ice that remains whole (not broken into pieces):
In a cooler – 18-24 hours
Outdoors – 3-5 hours
In liquid – 15-45 minutes
To put it another way, if stored properly (that is, in an insulated cooler…see below), dry ice sublimates (turns from solid form to gas form) at a rate of about 2-5 kilograms every 24 hours. That means that if you need about 5 kilograms of dry ice for the next day, you need to buy 8-10 kilograms the day before. This is why it’s important to buy your dry ice as close as possible to the day you’re going to need it.
We provide thermal insulated boxes to help you achieve a long-lasting dry ice.