Dry Ice

[scwideman]

I am new to this dry ice business.  We have a large, very thick, styrofoam cooler (we could use large plastic cooler if better) that we were planning to use for overflow refrigeration.  We wanted to use dry ice but am concerned about proper ventilation for the DI.  It would be in our aft cabin with two portholes always open.  Do you think this is enough ventilation. 

We do have a very small storage bin (about 12 gallons) outside in the cockpit that we also use for a cooler on day sails.  Do you think the dry ice would do better out there?  And then stack some ice on top of it.  It is not properly insulated, but it has drainage and we usually keep it filled with ice and beverages.

Also, where to you buy this stuff in Southern Marin?

Thanks, Shawn,

C&C 40

[iliohale]

Molly Stones sells dry ice.

[toqer]

Just be careful, remember CO2 is a heavier gas and pools like propane does, it doesn't float off.

You don't want to keep it in a sealed container.  Check out youtube for "Dry Ice Bomb" videos and you'll see what I mean. 

The best way to deal with it is to keep the drain plug on your chest open, with a hose running from the drain plug outside.  A 1/4 plastic fish tank type tube is good enough as long as you don't have to worry about kinks.  There are tougher hoses you can use for sure.