About Us – The Dry Ice Experts

In 1978, while working as a business broker, Ken sold a local ice business—and was soon invited to manage it. Although the company didn’t carry dry ice at the time, frequent customer requests convinced him to start offering it. Like most dry ice sellers, he quickly discovered that customers often have far more questions than the dollars they spend! Over the years, as those questions piled up, Ken and his wife, Ellen, began creating  handouts to help educate their clientele.

The rise of the internet brought new opportunities, so Ken and Ellen took their dry ice business online. This led to even more inquiries—this time from around the world. They briefly offered shipping, with costs ranging from $75 to $200 (plus the cost of dry ice and a container)—far too expensive for most people. In the first five years online, they received only four orders, including one shipped to Puerto Rico after a hurricane.

Beyond general information about dry ice, visitors increasingly asked where to find it locally. Proud to fill that gap, Ken launched www.dryiceInfo.com on June 14, 2000. He completed the core content by the end of August and then tackled the bigger challenge: building a comprehensive list of dry ice sellers nationwide. The DryIceDirectory was first published in November 2000 and continues to require regular updates to stay current. Anyone can add their business for free at any time. Supporting members receive enhanced visibility, including a logo and additional details to help attract new customers. 

While researching and writing, Ken and Ellen discovered the world of dry ice blasting—a powerful, eco-friendly cleaning method—and created a dedicated website to share their findings.

Ellen got her start in the ice business helping her uncle while attending college in Nebraska. After graduation, she purchased the “Ice Company” and built it successfully, drawing on the strong work ethic and integrity she developed growing up as a country girl in Nebraska’s sandhills. Before moving to California to join Ken, she gained experience in the ice and dry ice industries in Omaha and Tucson. Together, they bring over 95 years of hands-on expertise in ice and dry ice.

The COVID-19 pandemic—and especially the rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine—sparked widespread new interest in dry ice. The vaccine required ultra-cold storage at approximately −94°F ±18°F (−70°C ±10°C) for up to 10 days unopened, often achieved through dry ice in specialized thermal shippers during transport and temporary holding.

Today, Ken and Ellen enjoy the Midwest lifestyle in Omaha, Nebraska, where they continue to maintain and expand these helpful dry ice resources: