Whether you plan to host a party or decorate the front porch for trick-or-treaters, dry ice will add an eerie smoke effect to your Halloween decorations. The frozen form of carbon dioxide is typically available by the pound at ice companies, but you might need less for certain devices. Below is a brief guide on how much to use for each spooky item.

Convert Pounds to Ounces for Smaller Decorations

Purchase quantities will depend on the ice company, but dry ice is often sold in five-pound bags. You likely won’t need this much for smaller items. Usually, you’ll only need 3.5 ounces for every four cups of hot water. For example, the size of the punch bowl you use will determine how much to order. Also, if you plan to put the CO₂ directly in drinks, make sure it is food-grade ice, meaning it’s the same quality as what’s used in soda fountains and food transportation containers.

The size of pumpkins also matters when determining how much ice to use for jack-o’-lanterns. For a large pumpkin, three pieces of dry ice should be placed in a half-full glass of hot water. The glass should be taller than the eyes of the carving to ensure the fog flows out of all the holes. One pound of dry ice should create billowing fog for two to three minutes. 

Purchase Several Pounds to Use in Fog Machines

If you want to create a big smoke effect, you’ll need to rent a fog machine. The dry ice is placed in a 30- to 55-gallon bucket with holes for hot water to enter. Water vapor fog is produced as soon as the liquid makes contact with the material. How much to order for an ice delivery depends on how long you want to keep the effect going. For example, five pounds in hot water will produce the greatest volume of fog for the first five to 10 minutes. Every 15 minutes, another five to 10 pounds of ice should be added to the machine.

If you want to make your Halloween decorations even more eye-catching with dry ice, reach out to the Hawaiian Ice Company. For over 20 years, they’ve provided affordable products and high-quality equipment for rent throughout the island of Oahu.  There is a minimum of 5 pounds per dry ice purchase at $4.50 per pound ($22.50).  Prices are subject to change over time depending on raw material prices.  Please call Hawaiian Ice Company (808) 538-6918  and a representative will be happy to share advice on additional ways to use the materials. Visit the Honolulu-based ice company online for a closer look at purchase options.