Dry Ice Blasting for Freezer Frost
at McLane Food Services (Concord, NC)
Using Ice to Remove Ice?
Project Snapshot
Client: McLane Food Services – Concord, North Carolina
Service: Dry ice blasting to remove accumulated frost/“snow” on steel roof trusses and concrete freezer floors
Contract Type: Fixed-cost SLA with recurring service schedule (third-shift, weekend windows)
The Problem:
We were contacted by McLane Food Services to assist in solving a recurring problem. Warm air entering at their loading docks filters into their freezer creating continuous frost on trusses and air-handling components. Over time, that “snow” falls, bonds to a 0°F concrete floor, and is compacted by forklift traffic into a rock-hard, uneven surface—a safety and productivity issue.
Before Merritt Industrial – Old Method:
Internal teams used poles/sticks to knock down frost. This took many hours, tied up staff, and never fully removed buildup—especially on the floor.
Merritt Industrial’s Solution: Deploy industrial dry ice blasting machines to strip frost from trusses, air handlers, and structural steel—then apply a repeatable floor-removal workflow designed for sub-zero conditions.
Why Dry Ice Blasting Works in Freezers
- No water added: Dry ice sublimates (solid CO₂ → gas), so there’s no meltwater to refreeze, no steam, and no slurry.
- In-place cleaning: By using dry ice as a projectile, we’re able to reach the trusses, hangers, and air units without teardown
- Fast & thorough: The thermal shock of dry ice helps release bonded frost; high-velocity media and air pressure carries it away.
- Cleaner floors, safer travel paths: Removing frost at the source (truss system) reduces re-accumulation on the floor making for smoother forklift traffic lanes.
Floor Removal: Built for 0°F and Below
Cold storage floors are unforgiving. Typical equipment stalls or ices over; manual chopping is exhausting and slow. During our initial trials, Merritt Industrial engineered a systematic, repeatable workflow with specialty attachments and equipment to protect worker stamina. The result: predictable removal rates, cleaner surfaces, and less downtime.
- Zero-degree optimized equipment (hoses, nozzles, and anti-freeze procedures)
- It’s not uncommon for our dry ice blasting machines to totally freeze up while in these working conditions. Each deployment we send two blasting machines to guarantee we can complete our workorder on time.
- Staged workflow to avoid re-freezing around work zones
- Remove the ‘snow’ from the trusses. Load the removed snow from the floor, transport outside of the freezer for media waste disposal.
- Third-shift crews to work when aisles are most available
- QC sign-offs so operations know exactly what’s complete
Merritt Industrial = Solutions Provider (Not Just a Service)
When you hire Merritt, you’re getting process engineering + execution:
- Top-line equipment & redundancy: Cold Jet PCS60 for precision, Aero40/Aero80 for throughput; six machines in fleet.
- Experienced technicians: We tune feed rate, standoff, and nozzle geometry to maximize removal—not just “make chips.”
- Own compressor & ice logistics: No dependency on your plant air; we bring the CFM and handle all dry ice supply.
- Fixed-cost SLA: Budgetable, recurring service on your schedule—no surprises.
Dry Ice Blasting Works in Freezers video library
FAQ
Does dry ice blasting remove ice?
Will dry ice blasting disrupt shift operations?
Can you maintain results long-term?
Yes. Many of our clients are on fixed-cost SLA that sets a cleaning schedules ensuring working environments stay clean, safe and operational.
Need a site review or demo in Charlotte & Carolinas?
- Request a Fixed-Cost SLA: Lock in predictable spend and recurring results.
Serving: Charlotte • Concord • Gastonia • Rock Hill • Mooresville • Greater Carolinas
Contact Merritt Industrial — Get a plan, schedule, and fixed cost for your cleaning needs. Call Today!