Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide, and is usually used for cooling. Because of the way it sublimates, or vaporizes into the air, it can be used for a variety of tasks - one of which is its use as an awesome decoration!

How to Generate Vapor

Dry ice is an awesome item for use in decorating for a single reason - it sublimates visibly in the form of vapor in the presence of water. When water is combined with dry ice, carbon dioxide is forced into its vapor form, creating a thick, gray cloud that hugs the floor tightly.

This is perfect for movie sets, Halloween props, and more, and because dry ice sublimates cleanly without leaving residue behind, all that is left in the cleanup phase is clean water.

Directing the Vapor in a Room

When using dry ice vapor as a decoration, directing the vapor is off prime importance. You can use fans, ducting, or even PVC pipes to direct the vapor, but the most useful technique is to simply allow the vapor to drift to the floor. Because carbon dioxide is heavier than atmosphere, it will be pulled down after sublimating.

Find the area you want to flood with vapor, and place a small container in the center. Try and make it as inconspicuous as possible by placing it behind objects or covered with a permeable surface such as a thin sheet. Add the block of dry ice to the center, add some water, and voila - instant fog!

Create a Plating or Display

Sometimes, you'll want to purchase dry ice and use it in a smaller, more convenient way. For these situations, simply reduce the size of the block!

For instance, if you are plating food and want to create a heavenly vapor to envelop the item, simply place the dish in a second, larger serving dish, and add a small amount of crushed dry ice around the brim. Put a few drops of water on each area, and fog will slowly fade upwards from the serving dish, wowing your patrons and frightening your competitors!

Consider Safety

Dry ice can be fun - but it can be dangerous, as well. When using dry ice, always use cold-insulation gloves to prevent ice burn. Make sure wherever you are creating vapor is ventilated, as carbon dioxide can replace oxygen in the lungs and cause asphyxiation, discomfort and death.