Dry ice blasting, explained
What it is, how it works and when it is the right method for your equipment.
What it is
Small pellets of solid CO₂ (dry ice) are fired through a nozzle at high speed. They strike the surface, lift the contaminant and turn straight into gas. There is no water, chemical or blasting media to clean up – only the removed soil.
Dry ice is food-grade CO₂. It removes the soil and nothing else is left behind – only what came off the surface.
How it works
Pellets
Small pellets of solid CO₂ at −78.5 °C are fed into a stream of compressed air.
Impact
They strike the surface at high speed, lifting grease, carbon and residue.
Sublimation
On impact the pellets turn straight into CO₂ gas – no water left behind.
A clean strip
The narrow, direct jet is moved slowly across the surface, worked like a paintbrush around seals, labels and sensors, leaving a clean strip behind it.
Why not water, chemicals or grit?
Non-abrasive on most metals, moulds and machined surfaces, with no water, grit or chemical waste to clean up.
| What matters on a shutdown | Dry ice blasting | Pressure washing | Sand / grit blasting | Hand scrubbing + chemicals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean in place – no strip-down | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No drying time | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| No water, grit or chemical waste to clean up | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Non-abrasive on moulds and machined surfaces | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Suitable for de-energised electrical equipment | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No residue on food-contact surfaces | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Shorter shutdown | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
General comparison only. Results depend on the surface and contaminant, so we confirm with a test area before every job.
Good for, and not for
- Oven bands, conveyors, mixers and packaging lines
- Injection moulds, tooling and dies
- Print press rollers and units
- De-energised electrical equipment (motors, cabinets)
- Soot, smoke damage and graffiti on masonry, timber and metalwork
- Live electrical equipment – it must be de-energised, isolated and tested by a licensed electrician
- Replacing your validated sanitation step – dry ice removes soil; it is not a sanitiser
- Some soft timbers, renders and heritage masonry without a test area first
- Cleaning while the line is running – equipment is always stopped and locked out
The shutdown
Most equipment can be cleaned in place, with no strip-down and no drying time. That usually means less downtime than washing or dismantling.
Stopped and locked out
Equipment is isolated under your site’s procedures before we start.
Test area
We clean a test area for your sign-off, then adjust pressure and pellet size for the surface.
Clean in place
Most equipment is cleaned where it stands – no strip-down.
No drying
No water means no drying time. Isolations are handed back to your team when the area is clear.
Safety
CO₂ and ventilation
Dry ice turns into CO₂ gas. We monitor CO₂ levels during work, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, and stop work if levels rise.
Noise
Dry ice blasting is loud. Hearing protection is required in the work area, and we agree timing and noise controls with you in advance.
PPE
Hearing protection, eye and face protection, insulated gloves and protective clothing are worn on every job.
Exclusion zone & SWMS
The work area is barricaded and signed, and a site-specific Safe Work Method Statement is sent before we arrive.
Questions
Is it safe for food production areas?+
Dry ice is made from food-grade CO₂ and leaves no residue. It removes soil but does not replace your validated sanitation step; we plan the work with your food safety team.
Can you clean electrical equipment?+
Yes, once it has been de-energised, isolated and tested by a licensed electrician engaged by your site. We do not carry out electrical work.
Will it damage the surface?+
Dry ice is non-abrasive on most metals, moulds and machined surfaces. Softer materials such as some timbers, renders and heritage masonry need care, so we always start with a test area and adjust pressure and pellet size – or advise against it.
Is it noisy?+
Yes. Hearing protection is required in the work area and we agree timing with you in advance.
How is the price worked out?+
Blasting is A$275 per hour + GST, with a 3-hour minimum (A$825 + GST). You receive a written price for the agreed scope, with dry ice billed on the weighed kilograms used. Any variation is agreed and signed off with you on the day before extra work is done.
How quickly will I receive a quote?+
Our team will review your request and send a detailed quote within one business day. Photos help us quote without a site visit.
Planning a shutdown?
Tell us about the job and add a few photos. Our team will review your request and send a detailed quote within one business day.