Nitrous Oxide is a gas used as a whipping agent in whipped cream dispensers. The nitrous oxide comes in the form of a steel cylinder that is inserted into your whipped cream dispenser and produces a consistently fluffy and delicous whipped cream. The high standards of production for nitrous oxide used for human consumption ensures a high quality nitrous oxide that cannot be tasted even in very subtle and light whipped creams.

How Do Nitrous Oxide Chargers Work?

Nitrous oxide is extremely soluble in fatty compounds. When the nitrous oxide mixes with the cream, it breaks down the fat in the cream which forms a coating. As the cream leaves the dispenser, the nitrous oxide puffs up the cream and creates a nice fluffy texture. Whipped cream produced with nitrous oxide is intended to be used on foods that will be served immediately. This form of whipped cream is unstable and as the nitrous oxide leaves the cream it will eventually return to a more liquid state.

Benefits of Using Nitrous Oxide For Whipped Cream

Using nitrous oxide to make your whipped cream comes with a number of benefits. Nitrous oxide produces whipped cream that has four times the volume of the liquid used. Whipped cream made by whipping air into it only produces twice the volume. This makes whipped cream produced with nitrous oxide far more economical than whipping your cream by hand or purchasing one of the store bought varieties. Nitrous oxide also inhibits the degredation of the cream, preventing it from becoming rancid. When air is used, the oxygen accelerates the rancidification, and your cream does not last as long. The nitrous oxide in the dispenser prevents bacteria from growing which allows a whipped cream dispenser charged with nitrous oxide to keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. However, the biggest advantage to using nitrous oxide for your whipped cream is that it only whips the cream that you actually use. The rest of the cream stays in the dispenser untouched until you are ready to use it. This means that whipped cream produced with nitrous oxide will be freshly made and fluffy every time you use it.

How to Use Nitrous Oxide Chargers With Your Whipped Cream Dispenser

Nitrous oxide chargers are compatible with all screw valve dispensers. The typical size of a nitrous oxide charger is 8 grams and is good for the entire contents of the dispenser. Once the dispenser is opened, a new nitrous oxide charger is needed. Most dispensers only need one nitrous oxide charger, but depending on the size of the dispenser, two nitrous oxide chargers may be needed. In order to ensure that your cream is thick enough for the nitrous oxide to keep it fluffy, you need to make sure that you use a cream that has at least 28% fat. You can use either regular or heavy cream, but using regular cream results in a better yield. To release the nitrous oxide into the dispenser, the nitrous oxide charger must be pierced. This is done by screwing the nitrous oxide charger onto the whipped cream dispenser. Nitrous oxide chargers are specifically made to allow your whipped cream dispenser to pierce the top easily. Once the charger is pierced, the nitrous oxide is released into your dispenser and is ready for use.