Airgas Dry Ice

Just to update the previous review — the minimum as of this review is 30 lbs (came out to about $ 42). They prefer credit card. It is nice to know there is a place where a normal person can walk up and buy dry ice in San Carlos in pellet or block form.
The pellets are about ¾″ thick and about 2−4″ long.
I brought an Igloo to transport my 30 lbs but they offered a bag if I wanted it.
They print out an old-​school invoice on a dot matrix printer and make you sign a waiver in order to purchase. This takes a while but generally the service was pretty quick.

Muhahahaha…
That evil laugh is for three reasons:
1) It’s halloween season
2) I found a place to get dry ice that is close to home
3) I’m the first one to review it!
I first discovered Airgas last week when I did a quick internet search to find suppliers of dry ice in the area. I wanted to do some dry ice fog around the house during our Halloween party. I was pleasantly surprised to find Airgas was just a few minutes away.
Airgas is a wholesale supplier but also sells dry ice to the general public for $ 1.50/ pound, with a minimum of 10 pounds. However, with various add-​on fees and taxes it ends up being about $ 2.50 a pound. They sell it in blocks or pellets. I recommend the pellet form for better fog-​making (more surface area). They also ship to selected Safeway and Lucky stores in the area. (Next year I will find out which ones since it is far cheaper).
I thought I was so clever for finding Airgas, but apparently it is not that much of a secret. According to the staff, on Halloween day there is a line out the door in the morning and in the late afternoon. I was there at around 1:30 pm and was lucky to be the only patron.
But the best tip I can list here is the same one the staff member gave to me as I left: «Sir, make sure to crack you car windows on the way home. The heavier CO2 can slowly replace the air in the car and you could lose consciousness.» Whoa dude. Good point!