First, why is this stuff so cool? Dry ice is actually frozen carbon dioxide, and at -109.3°F, it’s way colder than regular ice. That’s why it doesn’t melt into a puddle—it turns straight into gas in a process called sublimation.
So, when you put it in a cooler, you’re essentially building a portable fog machine. The white vapor pouring out isn’t smoke; it’s carbon dioxide gas mixed with the water vapor in the air. It’s eerie, it’s beautiful, and honestly, it’s just fun to watch.