Try dry ice for Halloween decorations!
Dry ice, or carbon dioxide ice, was invented in 1835 when a French inventor placed liquid carbon dioxide in a glass container. When the liquid carbon dioxide reacted with the air, it changed into white crystals. The inventor thought at first that the substance was snow, but it was crystallised carbon dioxide.
Dry ice is made by first transforming liquid carbon dioxide into a snow-like substance. The snow is then compressed into blocks of ice which form the dry ice. When the dry ice melts, it changes directly into a gas and evaporates into the air. So dry ice evaporates without leaving any marks or stains!
You can use dry ice gases to create impressive Halloween decorations and effects. Here are a couple of tips for making your Halloween celebration an experience that both the young and old will remember!
Find out where you can buy dry-ice at this link.
Dry ice fog
Accessories:
- Large bowl
- Hot water
- Dry ice
- Thick gloves and a spoon for handling the dry ice
Fill a metallic or plastic bowl half full with hot water and add a few pieces of dry ice to the bowl with the spoon. The hot water will melt the dry ice and begin to create fog. Add pieces of dry ice and hot water to the bowl regularly to make a consistent fog. The hotter the water, the thicker the cloud of fog you will be able to create.
If you have a laser light projector, try projecting the laser beams through the dry ice fog. The beams of light will shine through the fog in the room and create a really great lightshow!
Please follow our safety instructions for handling and storing dry ice.
Spooky Jack-o’-lantern
Accessories:
- Large pumpkin
- Tall glass
- Hot water
- Salt
- Dry ice
- Thick gloves and a spoon for handling the dry ice
Cut open the top of the pumpkin and set the disk aside to use as a lid. Scoop out the inside of the pumpkin and cut out a face for it with a knife. Please note that the carbon dioxide gas will flow downwards: the top of the glass should be higher than the pumpkin’s eyes in order for the gas to come out of all of the holes cut into the pumpkin.
Fill the glass half full with hot water and mix some salt into the water. Put the glass inside the pumpkin. Put the thick gloves on and use a spoon to drop two or three pieces of dry ice into the glass of water. Place the lid on the pumpkin. Make sure the lid is on tight so that any air passing through does not thin out the fog. Add hot water or dry ice into the glass when the fog begins to fade.
Please follow our safety instructions for handling and storing dry ice.
Where can you get dry ice?
You can buy dry ice from our sales agents. You will receive instructions for storage and use with the dry ice, and the sales agents can answer any questions you may have.
A sufficient amount of dry ice for a Halloween party is about 5 – 10kg. When shopping for dry ice, please remember:
- Purchase the dry ice as close as possible to the date it will be used – dry ice will evaporate at room temperature within a couple of days
- You can either buy a carrying case for the dry ice from the sales outlet or bring your own polystyrene case
- Always handle dry ice with care. Avoid contact with bare skin.
- You can also use dry ice to cool drinks and food – you will only need a third of the amount of dry ice compared to ice made from water
- Do not use dry ice in drinks to avoid having dry ice come into contact with your mouth.
- Make sure to transport, store, and handle dry ice in well-ventilated areas.
Text: Elina Mäkinen
Photo: Shutterstock
