Make Mine Dry. Ice, that is.

[vakkotaur]

Yesterday some frozen goods arrived, packed in a foam container and chilled with dry ice. After dealing with everything else, I had some dry ice to play with.

I had never dealt with dry ice myself before, so I was a bit startled as it "screamed" when I picked up a chunk with some tongs that were still room temperature. I did the usual water and dry ice to make fog bit in the sink. And then thought about what else I might do with dry ice.

I didn't come up with anything terribly creative, but I did get some use and entertainment from it. I mostly filled a container with water and dropped the remaining chunks of dry ice into it. Lots of bubbling, lots of fog, and the entertainment of water ice forming near the dry ice until the gas buildup blew it off.

And when the dry ice had all sublimated, I had carbonated water. Rather lightly carbonated, as everything happened around atmospheric pressure. Commercial carbonation is done at higher pressure. The result was still noticeable and quite drinkable. I'm drinking the last of that water now and since it wasn't in a truly gas-tight container overnight, the carbonation is only barely noticeable now. If I hold the water in my mouth for a few seconds I can feel the tingling of the carbonation.

Comments

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Yep - that tingly thing was what prompted me to make very cold slightly fizzy lemonade with some of my dry ice.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

Never had dry ice delivered to my house, but being in the theatre biz, I am quite familiar with the stuff.

And your icon was never used on more apt an entry. :)