Whether for food preservation or medical purposes, dry ice is an essential resource in many industries. At ALL-GAS, we offer dry ice services, as well as residential and commercial propane and compressed gases. In our Hartford CT, facility, our high-quality dry ice pellets and rice are made to order daily. From orders of 50 pounds to larger quantities, we offer dry ice for pickup or delivery to locations throughout New England. Keep reading to learn more about reasons to ship with dry ice and tips for doing so.
4 Reasons to Buy Dry Ice for Shipping
Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide that is extremely cold. Therefore, it is often used to ship contents that need to stay frozen, such as food products and medical supplies. Some of the primary benefits of using dry ice include:
- Consistent, controlled temperature: When shipping food or other perishable contents, there are often specific temperature parameters that need to be met to ensure the safety, quality or integrity of these items. In comparison to other cooling products, dry ice tends to be the best choice for maintaining frozen status. In fact, at ALL-GAS, we ship our own orders of dry ice with additional dry ice to ensure that the customer’s specified allotment arrives intact for the pounds requested and ready for use.
- Colder for longer: Instead of products that keep things cold for just a few hours, buying dry ice is a more effective solution for items that may take a few days to deliver. Especially if you are planning to ship contents over a longer distance, choosing dry ice better ensures that your product arrives in its intended state.
- Package and product protection: Since dry ice transitions directly from solid form into gas form, you don’t have to worry about the mess that may accompany other cooling options. While you may not be able to fully control how the package is handled, buying dry ice helps avoid the risk of liquid leaks or residue compromising the shipping box or the contents themselves.
- Lighter weight: Opting to buy dry ice instead of using another cooling pack also often results in a lighter total package weight. In comparison to gel packs, the same cooling needs can often be achieved for longer and with less weight using dry ice.
At ALL-GAS, we supply dry ice in various sizes to suit the shipping needs or any other purposes for which you or your business may require it. Whether you are a medical company shipping large quantities of perishables or a small business fulfilling requests for specialty food items, we offer 50 pound packages of dry ice as well as larger quantities, such as 500 and 1,800 pound bins. Soon, we will also be offering airline-cut dry ice.
General Tips for Shipping with Dry Ice
Shipping with dry ice offers many advantages, but using it for this purpose requires careful handling and compliance with specific regulations. Many shipping services, such as USPS and FedEx, offer detailed guides regarding the handling, packaging and labeling needs in using this cooling component. Although specifics may vary according to shipping method, here’s an overview of what to expect if you are considering shipping with dry ice:
- Make sure that anyone handling dry ice is trained to do so and wears and uses the appropriate safety gear.
- Connect with a knowledgeable shipping service about the intended use of dry ice for shipping to help with education around existing practices and protocols.
- Think about the timing of your shipments to leverage the cooling power of dry ice.
- Ensure adequate ventilation in areas where dry ice is stored or transported.
- Plan other packing materials accordingly in consideration of both dry ice and intended contents.
- Check usage regulations for dry ice, as shared by the intended shipping service, such as UPS.
- Mark packages as directed by the carrier.
If you’ve ordered and used dry ice from ALL-GAS before, then some of these best practices in shipping dry ice may be familiar to you. As always, whether for use in shipping or handling in a healthcare facility, as highlighted at the CDC, dry ice safety is essential.
As a family-owned and operated business founded in 1941, customer satisfaction is our priority. Serving all of Connecticut, as well as many communities in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, ALL-GAS proudly offers dry ice services, as well as propane and compressed gas services. We also run a welding showroom located in Hartford, CT. Whether you want to buy dry ice for shipping or have questions about our other products and services, contact our team today!
