Dry Ice is the common name for carbon dioxide (CO2) gas
in its solid state. It gets this name because it must be cooled to
‘minus’ -78.5 degree Celsius to solidify, and also because when heated,
it melts and changes to CO2 gas instead of a liquid (This process is
known as sublimation).
It is no news that we all love the visual effects that
are created with the use of dry ice by special effect vendors,
Bartenders, Mixologist and Cocktails caterers. It has quickly gained
ground since its introduction into the party and event scenes. However,
there is a need to do some serious homework about the nature, use,
storage, side effects and DANGERS of dry ice.
Dry ice should never be directly consumed and putting it
directly into a drink without necessary precautions and caution to
whoever is carrying and/or consuming the drink is quite dangerous. Here
is why;
1: Inhaling the fog that comes from the dry ice
sublimation process cuts down the amount of oxygen you are receiving
because you’re inhaling Co2 instead of exhaling it. (NOTE to waiters
serving drinks and guests picking up from the bar)
2: As you enjoy the fog, ripples and other visual
effects dry ice creates when it’s popped into a drink… it starts
shrinking until practically hidden in the fog or floats to the top of
your drink and whichever way you do, you swallow some dry ice by
mistake. Directly or through straw (trust me, it’s easy to do).
3: If the dry ice attaches to your oesophagus or stomach
wall and freezes a bit of your flesh tissue solid (you will experience
the sharp pain of being “burned’) and you may get a life threatening
ulcer or some other major medical condition. Thus, in a case such as
this, imagine this happening to a guest at an owambe or a shinding that
you are the Cocktails vendor? Frightening eh?
Please note: You might not necessarily be poisoned by
drinking a liquid that is directly cooled by dry ice. At normal
atmospheric pressure, there may be some gaseous CO2 dissolved into the
liquid thereby giving it a mild carbonation. However, dry ice can be
dangerous to bare skin, mouth, tongue and internal tissues if someone
swallows a piece of it (It has been known to happen).
Now the question you need to ask yourself as a vendor
is; How have you been serving dry ice to your guests and clients? Are
you taking the necessary precautions and following safety guidelines and
rules.
And to you planners, consultants, coordinators, and
clients.. are you more about the theatrics and less about the safety of
the event and guests. It is extremely important for everyone to ask
pertinent questions and try to be knowledgeable as well. Remember,
Google is your Friend.
Do not get me wrong, you can still use dry ice to
create the effect you want without having to compromise safety standards
or jeopardize the health of the consumers. Have you ever heard of
Misty Stix? They are a sort of plastic guard for dry ice in form of
swizzle sticks , it works by popping the dry ice pellets into the
plastic sticks and dropping the plastic into the cocktails or drink,
voila! You get the same visual effect but no dry ice remnant or
particles is going directly into the drink.
A cheaper alternative is to get a nice container the
same height with your glasses and use as your dry ice container. Tuck in
between the other drinks to be served on a well arranged tray and
create the same mist effect with your staff knowing fully well that the
dry ice container will and cannot be picked by clients or guests because
it is strictly meant for the theatrics and effizy of the service
Hopefully this little article will help guide and open
someone’s eyes today to know the right thing, learn the right thing and
do the right thing.. Always remember “Safety 1st”
By
Funke Awobokun
Chief mixologist
@cocktailsinandout
