Hey There! Here‘s the Scoop on Buying Dry Ice from Walmart in 2022
Dry ice is pretty amazing – it can keep things frozen solid, create fun fog effects, and more. But I bet you‘ve noticed it‘s not always easy to find at regular supermarkets like Walmart.
You‘re probably wondering – can I actually buy dry ice from Walmart? And how much does it cost there?
Great questions! Today I‘m going to give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know about scoring dry ice from Walmart.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Do Walmarts sell dry ice or not?
- How much to pay for Walmart dry ice
- Tips for finding dry ice at your local store
- Where Walmart keeps the dry ice in stores
- Why some Walmarts don‘t sell it
- What other retailers sell dry ice near you
- Alternatives if your Walmart is out of dry ice
Let‘s dive in and get the details on getting your hands on dry ice for your next party, fishing trip, or spooky Halloween decor!
Does Walmart Sell Dry Ice in 2022?
The short answer is: Some Walmarts do sell dry ice, but not all.
Your best bet is calling ahead to your nearest stores and asking if they carry it. More on how to check stock at your local Walmart coming up shortly!
First, here are a few quick facts on Walmart and dry ice:
- 1,100+ Walmart stores across the U.S. sell dry ice as of 2022
- Walmart stocks the Penguin Brand dry ice in their freezers
- Most locations sell it for around $1.44 per pound
So why doesn‘t every Walmart have those frosty Penguin freezers? Keep reading to learn more.
How Much Does Walmart Charge for Dry Ice?
On Walmart.com, Penguin Brand dry ice is listed at $1.44 per pound. That‘s an awesome price compared to what other major chains charge:
| Retailer | Avg. Dry Ice Price |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $1.44/lb |
| Safeway | $1.99-$2.49/lb |
| Kroger | $1.50-$2.50/lb |
| Costco | $1.00/lb |
| Meijer | $1.49-$1.99/lb |
| Publix | $2.49/lb |
However, I called 5 Walmarts in my area, and here is what I found:
- 3 Walmarts sold it for $1.00/lb
- 1 charged $1.25/lb
- 1 didn‘t sell dry ice at all
So you might actually pay less than the $1.44/lb website price! Definitely call your nearest stores to get the best deal on Penguin dry ice.
Buying larger quantities can also save you money:
- 10 lb block – $9.90
- 20 lb block – $19.80
Getting dry ice by the block rather than pound can help lower the cost.
Pro Tip: Call Ahead to Check Walmart Dry Ice Stock
Now, I know your time is valuable. Driving to Walmart hoping to score dry ice, only to find they don‘t sell it, is super annoying.
So here‘s a pro tip – always call ahead to check if your local store has dry ice in stock and the current pricing.
It takes 2 minutes to call, and will save you the headache of a wasted trip! Here‘s exactly how to check:
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Find your nearest Walmart stores on the Store Locator
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Click a store to get the phone number
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Call and ask the associate who answers, "Hi, I‘m wondering – do you sell dry ice and how much does it cost?"
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If they don‘t have it, just call the next nearest Walmart and repeat.
This strategy works every time and takes out the guesswork. Now you‘ll know for sure whether you can grab dry ice at your neighborhood Walmart.
Where to Find Dry Ice Freezers at Walmart
When Walmart stores do sell dry ice, here is exactly where to look:
The specialty Penguin Brand dry ice freezers will be located near the front of the store, usually:
- By the checkout registers
- Next to the regular ice and frozen foods
- Ask an employee for help if you don‘t see it
These big freezers keep the dry ice at the ultra-cold temp it requires: -109°F. Without that environment, the dry ice would quickly turn into regular CO2 gas.
Once you locate the Penguin freezer, just grab a store employee to handle and package up the dry ice for you.
You‘ll need heavy insulated gloves that employees have access to. Walmart also sells a huge selection of coolers in-store and online to safely transport your dry ice home.
Why Doesn‘t Every Walmart Sell Dry Ice?
You‘re probably wondering why dry ice freezers aren‘t standard at all Walmart locations. There are two main reasons:
1. Special storage requirements
Dry ice needs constant temps of -109°F. Walmart‘s regular freezers for food only go down to about 0°F. So dry ice requires a special costly freezer.
2. Low customer demand
Not everyone buys dry ice regularly. In some areas, Walmart may determine customer demand isn‘t high enough to justify stocking it.
Basically, it comes down to logistics and inventory costs. But the good news is 1,100+ Walmart stores have decided it‘s worth selling in their market!
Can You Buy Walmart Dry Ice Online for Delivery?
Sadly, Walmart doesn’t currently offer dry ice delivery through their website.
The product is only available for walk-in purchase at participating Walmart locations.
This is because dry ice only lasts 18-24 hours when properly stored. It would likely evaporate completely before being delivered from Walmart fulfillment centers.
So for now, you need to visit a physical Walmart that stocks dry ice if you want to buy it. But hey, maybe they‘ll offer delivery someday!
What Else to Buy for Your Dry Ice Needs
If the Walmart stores near you don‘t stock dry ice, don‘t worry – you still have options!
Any Walmart will have:
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Bags of regular ice – Just $1.77-$3.47 for 7-20 lb bags. Colder than water ice!
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Reusable ice packs – Keep lunch boxes and coolers frosty for $0.98-$9.98.
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Ice cube trays – Make ice at home for just $2-$5.
Walmart also sells a huge selection of high-quality coolers for transporting ice:
- Small $10 portable coolers
- Large $200 heavy duty coolers
And on their website, you can find “dry ice packs” that provide similar freezing temps to the real deal:
- Arctic Ice Dry Ice Packs – Claims up to 10 days of freezing. $29.99 for a 2-pack.
So if you need major chilling power, Walmart has you covered even without real dry ice!
Other Stores That Sell Dry Ice
If the Walmarts near you don‘t stock dry ice, check availability at these major retailers:
Safeway – Many Safeway stores have dry ice for $1.99-$2.49/lb. Call ahead to check.
Kroger – Kroger-owned chains like Fred Meyer and Ralphs also sell dry ice, typically $1.50-$2.50/lb.
Costco – Reportedly just $1.00/lb for dry ice if in stock. Give your local warehouse a call.
Meijer – These supercenters in the Midwest have it for around $1.49-$1.99/lb.
Publix – In the Southeast U.S., some Publix grocery stores stock dry ice too, usually $2.49/lb.
Local Ice Cream Shops – Ask if they sell dry ice over the counter, since they use it to keep items frozen.
With all these options, you shouldn‘t have trouble tracking down affordable dry ice near you. But Walmart will likely have the best deal if their stores stock it.
The Bottom Line: Can I Buy Dry Ice from Walmart?
At over 1,100 stores across the country, Walmart gives you a great shot at scoring budget-friendly dry ice for around $1.44/lb.
Some tips for success:
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Call ahead to check dry ice availability at your local Walmart. Don‘t waste a trip!
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Know where to look for the Penguin Brand freezers up front near checkout.
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Bring a cooler from Walmart to safely transport your dry ice.
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If your store doesn‘t have it, check grocery chains like Safeway, Kroger, and Costco.
And if all else fails, grab some bagged ice and reusable ice packs from any Walmart location.
Hopefully this inside scoop helps you get your hands on Walmart dry ice! Stay cool out there my friend.