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Comment by gambiting | Hacker News Reader

Honest question - where do hell people buy dry ice from like it's the easiest thing ever, I've looked into it and there was no one within hundreds of miles from me who would sell to private buyers. UK here.

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Here in the US, you can buy it at the supermarket.

I've had trouble finding it in NYC; my initial idea for doing SodaStream refills was to simply buy the appropriate weight of dry ice and fill the canister by unscrewing the top, but I wasn't able to find any dry ice available for purchase.

For those curious, I ended up finding a welding supply store that just sold pure CO2 in a tank.

Or https://www.dryicedelivered.com/ I wonder if they pack it in dry ice to keep it cold while it ships?

Edit: They do.

As an American I had the same expectation trying to buy dry ice in New Zealand - couldn't find it in supermarkets or petrol stations. I wanted to get some for our outdoor/off grid wedding to keep the beverages cold for several days. Eventually I called BOC (who supply industry and hospitals) and they agreed to sell us some but when I showed up with a cooler (chilly bin) they laughed at the tiny amount I wanted and filled it up. I don't think they'd ever sold it like that to a private buyer.

In the US some supermarkets have it for sale. Most do not that I've seen, but I know a few who carry it in stock.

All the stores near me sell it.

US here. the large supermarket chains (Safeway) stock it as a normal commodity, in the front, next to the water ice.

I once had to find some for the sixth form Physics labs where I was temping.

Chemistry lab at Newcastle University had a freezer full that they were happy to share from.

Theatrical suppliers may help too.

Here in Canada, it's companies like Praxair or Air Liquide. Major centres will typically have one, maybe a 10 pound minimum for dry ice.

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