The Ultimate Guide to Dry Ice Blasting Machines

Dry ice blasting has become one of the most effective, eco-friendly cleaning technologies available today. By using solid CO₂ as the blasting medium, it delivers powerful cleaning without chemicals, water, or secondary waste.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

  • How dry ice blasting works

  • The different types of machines available (Pellet vs L2P)

  • Benefits across industries

  • Safety and equipment considerations

  • How to choose the right system for your needs

1. What is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting (sometimes called dry ice cleaning) is a process that uses compressed air to accelerate CO₂ pellets or particles at high speeds to clean surfaces. It works through three key mechanisms:

  • Kinetic impact — Pellets strike contaminants with force, breaking them away.

  • Thermal shock — At –78.5°C, dry ice makes residues brittle and easier to remove.

  • Sublimation — On impact, dry ice turns directly into gas, expanding nearly 800x in volume, lifting debris off the surface.

Unlike sandblasting or soda blasting, dry ice blasting leaves no secondary waste, making it cleaner, safer, and faster.

2. Types of Dry Ice Blasting Machines

CoolBlast offers both major machine types:

  • Pellet Blasters

    • Use pre-manufactured dry ice pellets loaded into a hopper

    • Effective, flexible, and widely used across industries

    • Require regular pellet supply and storage

    • Ideal for contractors or sites with easy access to pellets

  • L2P (Liquid-to-Pellet) Machines

    • Produce dry ice on demand from liquid CO₂

    • Eliminate pellet storage and sublimation losses

    • Provide fresh, uniform dry ice every time

    • Perfect for regular in-house use where efficiency and minimal waste are key

3. Key Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting

  • Non-abrasive — Won’t damage surfaces or sensitive equipment

  • Eco-friendly — No chemicals, no solvents, no secondary waste

  • Reduced downtime — Clean equipment in place without disassembly

  • Cost-effective — Faster cleaning = lower labour costs + longer equipment life

  • Safe for electrics — Dry ice is non-conductive and moisture-free

4. Applications Across Industries

  • Manufacturing & Moulding — Cleans moulds in place without wear

  • Automotive & Aerospace — Removes carbon deposits, oils, and coatings without disassembly

  • Food & Beverage — Sanitises equipment without water or chemicals

  • Printing & Packaging — Clears ink, glue, and dust from precision machinery

  • Power Generation & Petrochemicals — Safe for turbines, generators, and explosive zones

  • Restoration & Conservation — Removes soot, mould, and pollutants from delicate structures

5. Safety Considerations

  • Always use PPE (gloves, visor/helmet, hearing protection)

  • Ensure adequate ventilation to avoid CO₂ build-up

  • Operators should receive training in safe use and maintenance

6. Choosing the Right Machine

When selecting a dry ice blasting system, consider:

  • Application — Delicate cleaning vs aggressive coatings

  • Air supply — Match machine requirements to your compressor (CFM/bar)

  • Frequency of use — Pellet machines for occasional use, L2P for high frequency

  • Mobility — Portable units for contractors vs fixed setups for workshops

CoolBlast supplies:

  • Pellet machines from Dry Ice Energy — compact, user-friendly, versatile

  • L2P machines from CryoSnow — advanced German-made systems for continuous, on-demand blasting

7. Dry Ice vs Traditional Blasting

  • Abrasiveness: Dry ice = non-abrasive. Sand, grit, soda = surface wear.

  • Waste: Dry ice = no secondary waste. Other media leave debris to clean up.

  • Chemicals: Dry ice = none. Other methods may require solvents.

  • Downtime: Dry ice allows in-place cleaning, reducing stoppages.

  • Environmental footprint: Lower CO₂ emissions, reduced waste management costs.

8. About CoolBlast

CoolBlast is a UK-based supplier of dry ice blasting machines, sand blasting equipment, and mobile compressors. We specialise in both Pellet and L2P systems, offering customers the flexibility to choose the right solution for their industry.

  • Premium German-made machines from CryoSnow (L2P) and Dry Ice Energy (Pellet)

  • Options for manual blasting or automated systems

  • Full range of compressors, accessories, and PPE to complete your setup

  • UK support, demos, and leasing options available

Key Takeaways

Dry ice blasting is one of the most versatile and sustainable cleaning methods available. Whether you need a Pellet machine for flexibility or an L2P system for efficiency and zero waste, CoolBlast has the right solution to keep your business running cleaner, faster, and greener.

👉 Ready to explore dry ice blasting? Contact CoolBlast today for expert advice, demos, or a personalised quote.