Dry Ice Packs at Walmart: 2025 Expert Guide
What “dry ice packs at Walmart” actually means
At Walmart, the phrase typically refers to reusable phase‑change packs (PCMs), not literal CO₂ dry ice. You’ll commonly see:
-
Arctic Ice Tundra (~5 °F / −15 °C) for deep‑cold/frozen hold,
-
Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew (~28 °F / −2 °C) for drinks/fridge‑cold,
-
Sheet‑style liners (Techni Ice / Thermafreeze) you hydrate, freeze, and trim to fit.
Real CO₂ dry ice may be stocked only in certain Supercenters; availability varies by store and season—call ahead or use a brand locator.
Why it matters: The freezing point (setpoint) of a pack determines the temperature “floor.” Lower setpoints absorb more heat before thawing, extending hold time—critical for keeping items frozen. Hard HDPE “bricks” stack neatly; flexible sheets wrap odd shapes and eliminate warm voids.
Pick by freezing point & format (quick table)
| Walmart option | Setpoint / Type | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Ice Tundra | ~5 °F / −15 °C hard gel brick | Frozen foods, weekend holds, hot climates | Longest frozen window; pre‑freeze 24–36 h for full charge. |
| Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew | ~28 °F / −2 °C hard gel brick | Beverages, deli, day trips | “Crisp‑cold” without freezing drinks/produce. |
| Igloo MaxCold Ice Block | ~32 °F water‑based block | Lunch boxes, short errands | Low cost, stackable sizes; great everyday add‑on. |
| Techni Ice / Thermafreeze sheets | Hydrate‑freeze sheets | Gap filling, liners, shipping | Conformable coverage; reduce hot spots and leaks. |
Independent, 2025‑era tests generally show gel‑based packs outlasting plain water blocks in like‑for‑like space—especially when contents and cooler are pre‑chilled.
How many packs do you need?
Quick formula (hard‑sided cooler, tight pack):
Packs_needed ≈ (Cooler_volume_L ÷ 3.5) × (Hold_hours ÷ 24) × Load_factor
Where Load_factor = 1.0 (tight) • 1.25 (loose) • 1.5 (soft cooler).
Example: 35 L cooler for 36 h, tightly packed → (35/3.5)×(36/24)×1.0 ≈ 1.5 → two medium bricks + a sheet on top.
Rule‑of‑thumb by duration (frozen focus, 86 °F/30 °C ambient):
-
≤12 h: packs ≈ 10–15% of cooler volume
-
24–36 h: 20–30%
-
48–60 h: 30–40%, favor 5 °F packs and add liners
Adjust up for frequent lid openings or >95 °F ambient.
Pro packing pattern (fast wins): Pre‑chill the cooler overnight, place bricks bottom + top, and line walls with sheets to remove dead air. Mix sizes to fill voids near sensitive items.
Shipping food with Walmart packs (SOP)
For refrigerated (32–40 °F) shipments, standard gel/PCM packs with good insulation suffice. For frozen, anchor a low‑setpoint (~5 °F) brick near the product core, line sidewalls with cryosheets, and keep headspace minimal. Many marketplace sellers run Tundra bottom + side sheets + top brick to mimic lab‑style packouts.
Want a deeper dive? See our dry ice pack for shipping food SOP with pack‑to‑product ratios and hold‑time math. (Internal link suggestion below.)
Find them online vs. in‑store + Marketplace tips
-
Online: Start at Walmart’s Cooler Ice Packs category to filter by size, pack count, setpoint, and delivery dates. You’ll also see brand hubs (Arctic Ice, YETI, Igloo).
-
In‑store: Check Sporting Goods (near coolers) or Housewares (lunch boxes). Low‑cost Igloo MaxCold blocks are common shelf staples; premium bricks (Tundra/Chillin’ Brew) may be on end‑caps.
-
Marketplace vs. Walmart‑shipped: Always check “Sold & shipped by.” Return windows and shipping speed differ for Marketplace sellers. For business purchases, Walmart Business can list dry ice/packaging SKUs by region.
-
Real dry ice? Availability is store‑specific and often seasonal. Use a brand locator (e.g., Penguin Brand) or call ahead.
Safety: reusable packs vs. real dry ice
Reusable packs (water/gel PCMs): non‑toxic contents; if punctured, discard. Hand‑wash and air‑dry before refreezing.
Real dry ice (solid CO₂, −109 °F / −78.5 °C): Use insulated gloves and eye protection, and never store in sealed containers—pressure can build to rupture. Always ensure ventilation; CO₂ can displace oxygen and create asphyxiation hazards in confined spaces. Authoritative safety guidance from OSHA/CDC reinforces gloves and ventilation as non‑negotiables.
Rule of thumb: 1 lb of dry ice off‑gases a large volume of CO₂; avoid airtight spaces (cars, closets) and dispose by letting it sublimate in open air.
FAQs
Does Walmart sell actual dry ice?
Sometimes. Availability is store‑specific; call ahead or use a brand locator if your local store doesn’t stock it.
Which Walmart pack lasts the longest?
Packs with lower setpoints (e.g., ~5 °F Tundra) and higher mass typically hold longer—assuming a pre‑chilled cooler and tight pack‑out.
Are sheet packs (Techni Ice/Thermafreeze) as cold as dry ice?
No. They’re not −109 °F CO₂, but they’re cold, flexible, and far easier to handle and reuse—great as liners or gap‑fillers.
Can I ship frozen food with Walmart packs?
Yes—for short routes or 24–36 h windows—when you combine low‑setpoint bricks + sheet liners and minimize air gaps. For longer or ultra‑cold needs, evaluate real dry ice and carrier rules.
