The Ultimate Guide to Dry Ice Preservation During Power Outages
In South Africa, where load shedding and power failures are common occurrences, preserving perishable goods is an ongoing problem.
Dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide, serves as a powerful refrigerant, especially when conventional refrigeration methods are temporarily unavailable. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how dry ice can be effectively used for food preservation during power outages. We offer dry ice for sale in all metros including – Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban, Port Elizabeth.
Understanding Dry Ice
Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide and maintains a surface temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius. Unlike regular ice, dry ice does not melt into liquid but sublimates directly into carbon dioxide gas. This quality makes it especially useful for keeping goods cold without the wet mess created by melted ice.
Safety Precautions
Before exploring the various ways that dry ice can be used during power outages, it’s helpful to highlight some safety precautions. Dry ice requires careful handling in the following ways:
- Use gloves when handling dry ice to prevent frostbite.
- Ensure good ventilation in areas where dry ice is used, as it sublimates into carbon dioxide, which can displace oxygen in the air.
- Store dry ice in an insulated but not airtight container to avoid pressure build-up that can cause the container to burst.
Using Dry Ice for Food Preservation
During power outages, dry ice can be strategically used to preserve food in freezers and refrigerators.
Preparation Before Outage
- Buy your dry ice from reputable suppliers. For a standard freezer, you’ll need approximately 10-15 kilograms of dry ice for 24 hours.
- Wrap dry ice in newspaper or cardboard to minimize the direct contact with food items and prolong its sublimation rate.
Placement
- Freezer: Place dry ice on the top shelf of the freezer. Cold air descends, so placing it at the top helps distribute cold air evenly.
- Refrigerator: Place a smaller amount, typically around 5 kilograms, on a tray in the central part of the refrigerator to maintain a consistent temperature throughout.
- Check periodically (without frequently opening the freezer or refrigerator) to see if additional dry ice is needed.
Normally, dry ice will last for 18-24 hours in a freezer and 12-18 hours in a refrigerator, depending on the frequency with which the doors are opened.
Other Uses in Food Preservation
Dry ice can also be used to create a temporary cold storage environment:
- Coolers: For extended power outages, dry ice can be used in coolers to store perishables that don’t fit in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Transport: When moving perishable goods from one place to another, using dry ice can keep items frozen without the need for powered refrigeration.
Preserving Non-Food Goods
Beyond food, dry ice can also preserve other temperature-sensitive goods during outages.
- Medications: Certain medications that require refrigeration, like insulin, can be kept cool using dry ice.
- Plants and Flowers: Sensitive plants and flowers can be preserved in a cooler environment created with dry ice, especially when environmental temperatures are high.
Final Thoughts
With the regular power outages in South Africa, dry ice is a great way to keep perishable goods safe. It can significantly reduce the likelihood of spoilage with cautious handling and proper use.
Make sure you follow all the safety instructions to the letter, and your perishable goods will be better equipped to outlast the inconvenience of power outages and load shedding if you include dry ice in your power outage preparation plan.
We also discuss how dry ice maintains freshness from farm to table.
