Whipped cream chargers are used for many purposes most especially in the food and drink industries. This is due to their ability to introduce pressurized gas (N2O) into a liquid and also their ability to safely and efficiently aerate it.
A steel cylinder or cartridge which contains nitrous oxide (N20) used as a whipping agent in a whipped cream dispenser is known as a whipped cream charger. The charger is designed in such a way that its narrow end has a foil covering that is broken in order to enable the discharge of gas. This usually happens due to a sharp pin within the whipped cream dispenser.
Nitrous oxide is used officially in making whipped cream however, it is frequently used recreationally for its psychoactive effects. Whipped cream chargers are harmless when used in accordance with the manufactures instructions. Although improper inhalation (for example, putting on a mask or putting a bag over one's head) can result in oxygen deficiency, also its abuse can result in a deficiency of vitamin B12. Never misuse cream chargers as it many be harmful to your health.
The cylinders of whipped cream chargers are about 6.3 cm long and 1.8 cm wide, they are rounded at one end and the other end has a narrow tip. The walls of the chargers measured about 2 mm thick this is in order to withstand the great pressure of the gas-filled within. The inner volume is 10 cm3 and most companies usually fill 8 g of N2O under pressure. Used whipped cream chargers cannot be refilled but can be 100% recycled where there are steel recycling programs.
Whipped cream chargers are designed in such a way that they are intended for low volume application in home kitchens, restaurants, and coffee shops. In the case of high volume commercial use, regulated tank systems are designed so as to enable the filling of much larger containers and administrating more whipped cream. These are applicable if the volume exceeds a production level of ten liters every hour.
Uses of Whipped Cream Chargers
As stated earlier whipped cream chargers are used for many purposes such as
• Culinary
The reason why nitrous oxide is used is as a result of its ability to easily dissolve into the cream, also the presence of nitrous oxide in the can prevents the cream from oxidizing. In order to produce whipped cream with a dispenser, the minimum fat content of the cream must be 28%. Heavy cream and sugar, together with any desired flavorings or colorings are required ingredients for whipped cream. Nitrous oxide which dissolves into the cream as per its lipophilicity pressurizes this cream in a sealed container.
The high pressure inside the container expels the cream solution anytime the cream dispenser's valve is opened. Some of the dissolved gas is compelled to return to bubbles which effectively fluff up the cream as a result of the change in pressure. Nitrous oxide is known to inhibit the growth of bacteria hence a charged cream dispenser can be refrigerated for about two weeks.
• Recreational drug use
The availability of chargers is what usually makes users who want to use nitrous oxide recreationally as the most common method of choice. Considering that it has become difficult to obtain tanks of medical-grade nitrous as well as auto-grade nitrous, which contain substances like sulfur dioxide to put off human consumption. Chargers on the other hand are readily available and affordable in many stores and also online.
Users either fill a balloon using a cracker when they want to inhale from a charger, or fill up an empty whipped cream dispenser and inhale from it or sometimes fill a balloon using a dispenser. This is because the gas which rapidly rushes from the spout of the dispenser may be too harsh. The danger associated with direct inhalation from a cracker is that the user might develop frostbite on the inside of the mouth or esophagus. The A pressure of 30 pounds per square inch (200kPa) is created by the 8-gram nitrous oxide steel cylinder charger when it is being discharged into an empty whipped cream dispenser and this enables the delivery of 3.24 liters of nitrous oxide gas. You should always use cream charges in accordance with the manufactures instructions and never misuse cream chargers as it many be harmful to your health.
• Model rocketry use
Chargers serve as an easy source of nitrous oxide for small, powerful model rockets. Nitrogen and oxygen like those present in automotive and rocket engines are formed when the nitrous oxide is exposed to a very high temperature. This helps to improve combustion considering that more oxygen will be made available to the process of combustion. Thus, whipped cream chargers assisted model rockets can fly much rapidly and higher compared to the conventional designs of the same size.
In a nutshell, understanding the actual mechanism at work when it comes to cream whippets and the role of the nitrous oxide chargers makes it easy to appreciate exactly what is going on
