From Fog to Function: Surprising Modern Uses for Dry Ice

When most people think of Dry Ice, they picture clouds of fog rolling across a stage or billowing out of a Halloween cauldron. But behind the theatrics, Dry Ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO₂), is quietly powering dozens of modern industries.

From precision cleaning and pest control to art restoration and cold-chain logistics, Dry Ice is one of the most versatile tools available today. At Simcoe Gases, we help businesses across Ontario and beyond harness the unique properties of Dry Ice safely and effectively, proving that it’s much more than just a party trick.

What Makes Dry Ice So Unique

Dry Ice is CO₂ that’s been cooled and compressed into a solid form at –78.5°C. Instead of melting into a liquid, it sublimates, turning directly from solid to gas. When freshly made Dry Ice is stored and handled properly, it can remain viable at a low temperature for several days. Dry Ice begins to sublimate once it is exposed to ambient temperatures below – 79 degrees Celsius / -110 degrees Fahrenheit. 

These properties make Dry Ice the perfect choice for industries where cleanliness, precision, and cold control are critical.

1. Pest Control That’s Environmentally Friendly

Dry Ice is making waves in eco-conscious pest management. When placed in burrows or enclosed areas, it releases carbon dioxide gas that safely and humanely displaces oxygen, suffocating pests like rats, moles, or certain insects.

Unlike chemical pesticides, Dry Ice leaves no harmful residues and doesn’t contaminate soil or groundwater. It’s an especially popular solution in urban pest control programs, where safety and sustainability are top priorities.

Bonus: Municipal and agricultural teams are increasingly adopting Dry Ice to control invasive species in environmentally sensitive areas.

2. Art, Artifact, and Historical Restoration

Art conservators and museum professionals are using Dry Ice in a completely different way, as a gentle cleaning medium. Using a process called Dry Ice blasting, conservators can remove surface dirt, soot, and graffiti from priceless sculptures made from various materials like stone, marble, metals etc.

Because Dry Ice sublimates instantly, there’s no moisture or chemical runoff or blasting media to clean up. Dry Ice helps bring history back to life safely.

3. Precision Industrial Cleaning with Dry Ice Blasting

One of the fastest-growing uses for Dry Ice is industrial cleaning, especially through Dry Ice blasting systems. This process uses compressed air to shoot small pellets of Dry Ice at high velocity, removing contaminants without damaging the surface underneath.

Industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and food processing rely on this technology because it’s:

• Non-abrasive - safe for delicate equipment and molds

• Residue-free - eliminates water, sand, or chemical cleanup

• Faster - minimal downtime and cleanup

• Eco-friendly - reduces waste and solvent use

Whether cleaning injection molds, conveyor belts, printing presses, manufacturing machinery or electrical components, Dry Ice blasting delivers deep cleaning power with minimal disruption.

4. Cold Chain and Logistics: Keeping Things Frozen in Transit

Dry Ice is the gold standard for temperature-sensitive shipping. Because it maintains –78.5°C and doesn’t melt into liquid, it’s widely used in:

• Pharmaceutical logistics, including vaccine distribution

• Food and beverage shipping, for frozen or gourmet products

• E-commerce packaging, especially frozen meal delivery services

Unlike wet ice or gel packs, Dry Ice keeps products frozen for days, even in transit, while keeping shipments clean, dry, and compliant with health and safety regulations.

Simcoe Gases works with businesses of all sizes to provide Dry Ice in large or small pellet size, ensuring the right format for every application.

5. Film, Theatre, and Special Effects

Of course, Dry Ice still knows how to steal the show. The entertainment industry continues to rely on it for fog and smoke effects that stay low to the ground, creating dramatic visuals without the risks associated with chemical fog machines.

Concerts, haunted houses, theatre productions, and photography studios all use Dry Ice to create that iconic misty look. When mixed with hot water, the sublimation rate increases, generating thick, rolling fog in seconds.

At Simcoe Gases, we provide safe, event-ready Dry Ice along with storage and handling tips to help customers achieve their perfect visual effect.

6. Specialty Manufacturing and Research Applications

Beyond cleaning and cooling, Dry Ice also has a role in scientific and manufacturing environments.

• Laboratories use it for rapid cooling, sample preservation, and chemical reactions that require sub-zero temperatures.

• In metalworking, Dry Ice can assist in shrink-fitting, where components are cooled and fitted together with extreme precision.

• Some food processors even use Dry Ice to flash-freeze ingredients for better texture and freshness.

• Indoor agricultural facilities can use Dry Ice, in conjunction with proper ventilation systems to increase rates of plant growth and maturation.

Each of these industries benefits from Dry Ice’s stable, residue-free cold, something traditional ice or refrigeration can’t match.

Partnering with Simcoe Gases

Our Dry Ice is produced fresh daily in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and handled under strict quality standards to ensure optimum condition, purity and consistency. Whether you need a few kilograms for an event or regular bulk deliveries for industrial or lab use, our team ensures your Dry Ice arrives fresh, cold, and on time.

As a family-owned Canadian supplier, Simcoe Gases takes pride in offering more than just products, we provide reliable service, technical expertise, and flexible delivery options.

We support a diverse range of industries including:

• Manufacturing and fabrication

• Food and beverage production

• Healthcare and laboratories

• Entertainment and events

• Environmental and restoration services

• Agriculture

The Cool Future of Dry Ice

From fog machines to fine art, from pest control to precision cleaning, Dry Ice continues to surprise and inspire innovation. Its combination of power, purity, and sustainability makes it a go-to tool for modern businesses that want clean, efficient, and environmentally responsible solutions.

At Simcoe Gases, we’re proud to help companies across Canada discover just how functional, and fascinating, Dry Ice can be.