Cream chargers also called Nitrous oxide cartridges or Whippits are a cornerstone in the food industry due to their indispensable use for creating high-quality whipped cream. The popularity of cream chargers is increasing fast worldwide and features in nearly all social segments.
It is hard to imagine a world without whipped-cream, this is an essential ingredient used in a wide variety of dishes, which include your favourite coffee or hot chocolate at Starbucks. If you want to fluff cream into soft peaks yourself, this is now possible, you can decorate your own desserts and beverages at home in the same way. Such amazing recipes can create a revolution in your kitchen.
Since the invention of the cream whipper, the process of making whipped cream has become a whole lot easier. Prior to using these new tools, it was a very laborious task to mix heavy cream, sugar and flavourings etc together to make whipped cream. Cream chargers have become an important fixture in the modern kitchen and are like a magic wand to a novice home chef or baker.
To achieve whipped-cream as per expectations, you need to be familiar with both the cream chargers and the cream whipper. The whipper or dispenser is the device that is used to mix N2O gas with cream. The cartridges that are used are filled with nitrous oxide, you should always make sure to use the right gas cylinder. It would be practical on your part to notice the differences between various devices especially when you are using it for food and beverages. The standard 8G cream-charging units or nitrous oxide cartridges are 2.5 inches in length, 0.7 inches wide, 2 mm thick metal and cylindrical in shape.
It is important to follow all of the instructions carefully when using your new equipment. Firstly you pour the desired amount of heavy whipping cream into the whipper canister, depending on the size of the vessel, you can then add flavour and sweetener to it. Just add a little drop of flavoured syrup to the mixture and it adds tonnes of flavour to your whipped cream, you can do it according to your own creativeness. Then shake well for 3-4 minutes, the pop-up outlet of the attached cream-charger opens and pressurized N2O gas gets mixed with cream. Therefore, you need just four or five minutes to achieve richer and denser whipped-cream. The cream dispenser has a long thin nozzle to propel the whipped cream and decorator nozzles to add the desired effect.
There are many benefits of a whipped cream dispenser. It is easy to prepare fresh whipped cream without relying on the canned alternative and you can make it with a particular flavour or taste and at a comparatively much lower price. Fresh cream is conveniently dispensed from it whenever you require, so providing freedom from regularly having to visit the grocery store to buy pre prepared cream dishes. Also, you can add sugar to it according to your taste and this is a much healthier option.
Some ladies still think that the N2O gas used in the charging capsules may be harmful to children’s health, rest assured this is not the case. Various research laboratories have certified its health safe.
Another one of the advantages is that once made you can keep the whipped cream in the refrigerator for up to 10 days due to the nitrous oxides natural antibiotic properties.
With the growing popularity, the number of cream charger brands is increasing in the market. You will find a considerable difference in price, there may be many reasons for this. It’s worth noting that some brands offer cheap whippets that are equally as good when compared to well-known industry standard brands. It is up to you to decide which one is the best for your needs.
These are available in a variety of packs, therefore, you may select the right size pack as per your estimated consumption. Generally, the shelf life of cream charging units is about 24 months after the date of manufacture so, buy a super saver pack to save money.
Did you know as well as making whipped cream the whipper can also be used to infuse your favourite tipple?
Now for the science bit on how the nitrous oxide cream chargers make the process happen!
The same way you pour in cream to a whipper, pop in an N2O charger, release the nitrous oxide gas into the cream, and hey presto, you’ve got whipped cream. Infusing alcohol works almost exactly the same way. The pressure forces the alcohol into the cell walls of the flavouring agents. When the bottle is depressurized, the alcohol rushes back out again, and it carries all those potent flavours with it.
Steps:
Step 1. Pour your alcohol into the reservoir, this works best with clear spirits.
Step 2. Add your flavouring agents e.g. basil, orange peel, chilly’s, dark chocolate etc… Then screw the top down to seal it.
Step 3. Screw in the N2O cream charger until the nitrous gas releases into the bottle. Let it stand for at least one minute.
Step 4. Replace the N2O cream charger with another one, pressurize again, and then shake it for at least one minute.
Step 5. Using two glasses to catch the spray, slowly release the pressure using the trigger. Reserve the liquid.
Step 6. Unscrew the dispenser head and pour the liquid through a strainer into a glass.
Why not also try:
Basic Whipped Cream
Ingredients
1-pint regular whipping cream
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup powdered sugar.
Now, let’s add some alcohol!
To flavour, your whipped cream with your favourite liqueur, add 1-½ tablespoons to the mixture before adding an N20 cartridge.
Try any of the following:
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Grand Marnier
Godiva Chocolate
Frangelico
Chambord
Amaretto
Mix ingredients in the dispenser and add 1 N20 cream charger and shake well.
Once you get your hands on a cream whipper infusing tool, you can experiment like crazy. The possibilities are endless!