How Long Does Dry Ice Last? The Straight Answer for Food Enthusiasts ❄️

Carla Morel
Sep 15
4 min read

Dry ice isn’t your average ice. It keeps food colder, lasts longer in the right setup, and comes with its own set of safety rules.

Dry ice isn’t frozen water — it’s frozen carbon dioxide. That’s why it behaves so differently from regular ice cubes.

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What Is Dry Ice, Really?

Dry ice is carbon dioxide (CO₂) in solid form, kept at a chilling -109.3°F (-78.5°C). Unlike regular ice, it doesn’t melt into liquid — it sublimates (turns directly from solid into gas).

That means it’s a powerful cooling agent for shipping, camping, or storing frozen goods, but also something you need to handle carefully.

How Long Does Dry Ice Last?

The short answer: dry ice lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 hours in a cooler, depending on conditions. On its own, a block of dry ice left at room temperature may only last 3–5 hours.

The lifespan depends on how much you have, how it’s stored, and the surrounding temperature.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Amount of Dry Ice	In Room Temperature	In a Cooler
5 pounds	3–5 hours	12–24 hours
10 pounds	6–8 hours	18–30 hours
20 pounds	12–16 hours	24–48 hours

How Long Does Dry Ice Last in a Cooler?

When people ask “how long does dry ice last in a cooler”, the answer comes down to cooler quality and how often it’s opened.

A cheap styrofoam cooler: expect about 12–18 hours.
A high-end insulated cooler (like Yeti): up to 24–48 hours.
The more you open it, the faster it disappears.

👉 Pro tip: Combine dry ice with regular ice. The dry ice will keep your regular ice frozen longer, stretching your cooling power.

Why Use a Dry Ice Cooler?

A dry ice cooler is any cooler designed to handle extreme cold without cracking. Not all coolers can handle the ultra-low dry ice temperature of -109°F.

If you plan to use dry ice often (for fishing trips, camping, or transporting frozen meat), investing in a heavy-duty cooler is worth it.

Safety First: Handling Dry Ice

Dry ice is handy, but it comes with risks if you don’t respect it.

Wear gloves or tongs: touching it directly can cause instant frostbite.
Never store in an airtight container: sublimation creates gas, which can build up and burst a sealed box.
Use in well-ventilated areas: since it’s CO₂, too much buildup in a closed space can push out oxygen.

How to Dispose of Dry Ice

One of the biggest safety questions: how to dispose of dry ice?

The correct way is simple:

Leave it in a well-ventilated spot at room temperature.
It will naturally sublimate into gas.
Never throw dry ice in a sink, toilet, or trash bin — it can crack pipes or damage containers.

Dry Ice Temperature Explained

We’ve mentioned it already: dry ice temperature is -109°F (-78.5°C).

At that level, it’s cold enough to:

Snap-freeze food.
Keep meat frozen solid for transport.
Instantly cause burns if mishandled.

That’s why knowing how long it lasts is only half the story. Understanding its temperature and how it behaves is just as important.

Everyday Uses of Dry Ice

You might be surprised where dry ice shows up:

Food shipping (meat, ice cream, seafood).
Camping trips to keep supplies frozen.
Science experiments (think fog effects).
Emergency freezer backup if your power goes out.

Dry ice is especially useful when you need food not just cold, but frozen over an extended period.

How to Make Dry Ice Last Longer

If you want to maximize your block:

Buy it as close as possible to the time you’ll use it.
Keep it in the cooler until needed.
Use larger blocks instead of small pellets — they sublimate slower.
Wrap in newspaper or cardboard to insulate it.
Limit how often you open the cooler.

Quick Comparison: Dry Ice vs. Regular Ice

Feature	Dry Ice	Regular Ice
Temperature	-109°F	32°F
Lasts	12–48 hours in a cooler	12–24 hours in a cooler
Leaves water	No (sublimates to gas)	Yes (melts to liquid)
Handling	Gloves/tongs required	Safe to touch
Best for	Freezing, shipping, long trips	Chilling drinks, short trips

Final Word: How Long Does Dry Ice Last?

Dry ice usually lasts 12–24 hours in a cooler depending on conditions, and just a few hours at room temperature. With proper handling and disposal, it’s one of the best ways to keep things frozen safely.