Dry ice is great for making homemade root beer, witches brews, or for keeping your drinks cold. If you’re looking for a fun family activity, dry ice could win the night, but where do you go to buy it?
Many Ralph’s locations sell dry ice with prices ranging from $1.69-$3.99 per pound. Canoga Park, Temecula, and Torrence Ralph stores all sell dry ice but some other locations like San Bernadino and Rancho Cucamonga do not. You should call ahead to make sure your local Ralph’s carries dry ice.
If you can’t find dry ice at your local Ralphs, there are plenty of other places that sell it. Though each location is going to give you different information, you can find general prices and other information below.
What Is Dry Ice?
Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. The CO2 is pressurized and turned into a liquid, where it’s frozen quickly at -109 degrees (F). It can come in the form of blocks or pellets (source).
Because dry ice is made of carbon dioxide, it is not safe to ingest. Make sure to use it in an open space with lots of ventilation. It is also incredibly cold and could freeze your insides with internal frostbite. Keep dry ice away from your kids and handle it with oven mitts or heavy gloves.
Dry ice is long-lasting and extremely cold. When properly insulated at the bottom of your cooler, dry ice can last 24 hours or more, depending on how much you have. If you want it to last more than 12 hours, you’ll need at least 10 pounds. If you need it to last more than a day, you’ll need 15 pounds or more.
How Much Is Dry Ice at Ralphs?
At those locations that do sell dry ice, it is sold by the pound, so you’ll want to find out how much you need. For root beer, you only need one or two pounds of dry ice. If you plan to dump it in your cooler, you may want more than that. Dry ice is sold for $3.99 per pound at the Torrence, CA Ralphs location.
Most sources say you can find a pound of dry ice for anywhere between $1.00 and $3.00. At some retailers, you might be able to get a discount if you buy dry ice in bulk. If you get it delivered, dry ice can be more than that, and all prices depend on the vendor.
Where To Find Dry Ice In Ralphs? Where Would Dry Ice Be?
In most grocery stores, you will find any ice in a large freezer along the front wall. Most of the time these freezers are locked, so you need to ask an employee to open them for you. It’s easiest if you tell your cashier you want some dry ice when you check out.
They’ll either send someone or go themselves to unlock the freezer and pull out a bag of dry ice for you. Then you can buy it with the rest of your purchase and take it home with you.
How To Find Out If Your Local Ralphs Store Has Dry Ice For Sale
The best way to find the phone number of your local Ralphs store is to do a Google search. Make sure you search for “Ralphs, location,” or “Ralphs maps.” If your location is on, Google will be able to tell which Ralphs is closest to you. Click on the icon hovering over the location you frequent.
A sidebar will pop up that shows details of the Ralphs locations. If you scroll down you will find a website and a phone number listed. If you’re using a mobile phone, you can click on the phone number and your phone will start calling. If you are on the computer, simply dial the number into your phone.
If a real person doesn’t pick up the phone, choose the option in the automatic system that leads you to customer service. A representative there can tell you whether or not their location provides dry ice, as well as how much they charge.
Why Doesn’t Ralphs Always Have Dry Ice?
Each demographic has different needs. Ralphs does its best to meet the needs of the locals it services. If your Ralphs doesn’t have dry ice, that probably means there isn’t enough interest in the regular customers to warrant stocking it. The size of the store can also determine whether the location keeps dry ice on hand.
If your location doesn’t have dry ice, never fear. There are probably other grocery stores nearby that do sell dry ice.
If you’re having a difficult time finding some dry ice, it is possible to make your own, but more expensive. You’ll need lots of pressurized carbon dioxide, which you can buy, but it’s pricey. It’s easier to just make an extra trip to Walmart and get yourself some ready-made dry ice.
What Is Dry Ice Used For?
Dry ice can be used for lots of projects at home. Try sticking a little in your garden for ten minutes every day and watch your plants grow faster. Make a super intense haunted house this Halloween with some smoky effects from your dry ice. If the mosquitos are driving you crazy, set a little dry ice out and watch the pests fly right into a trap.
On top of fun home experiments, dry ice has many practical uses. It can be used to smoke out pests, create special effects, and keep food fresh. Shipping companies use dry ice to make sure your fruits and veggies are good and crisp when they arrive at your local grocery store.
Dry ice is also used in wart removal at a dermatologist’s office. It can be used to preserve anything from plant seeds to a corpse. Dry ice can even fix things like pipes, car dents, and can help in tile removal. It is a versatile substance that can be helpful in many situations.
Whatever you’re using it for, dry ice isn’t difficult to find, and it’s affordable. Your local Ralphs store probably carries it. Even if they don’t, another grocery store nearby probably does.