What is a whipped cream dispenser?

A whipped cream dispenser is a small steel canister filled with nitrous oxide (N2O) used as a whipping agent in whipping cream and foam dispensers. Whipping cream is added to a dispenser equipped with an oxide cylinder, much like a siphon. The cylinder's contents are injected into the whipping cream, creating light foam. The whipped cream dispenser should be stored away from heat sources and is typically purchased in packaging form.

A typical whipped cream canister is about 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) long and 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) wide, with one end forming a narrow screw that is tightly screwed into the dispenser until pierced. Piercing the cylinder releases the substance inside the dispenser. When cooking with a whipped cream dispenser, usually one cylinder is used and no more than two.

The canister should not be filled to capacity to allow space for mixing the N2O with the whipped cream dispenser's contents. After piercing the steel canister, shake it for about 20 seconds to mix the ingredients with injected air. During this process, fat-soluble gases dissolve in the contents of the dispenser.

When the lever or valve is pressed, high pressure inside the dispenser forces its contents out through a nozzle. Gases dissolved in its contents return to their gaseous state and create foam that expands four times larger than its original liquid volume. Foam produced in this way is unstable and will return to liquid form after about half an hour. Whipped cream dispensers use N2O instead of carbon dioxide because CO2 becomes acidic in water and causes whipped cream to solidify.

The common usage of a whipped cream dispenser is to use it to whip heavy cream or whipped cream. The addition of sugar is optional. Colorings and flavorings can also be added if desired.

There are many culinary uses for a whipped cream dispenser that do not involve whipping cream. Purees and liquids can be mixed with a small amount of gelatin to produce a flavorful foam. Whipped cream dispensers can also be used to make whipped cream, meringue, and even cake batter. The resulting foam can be either hot or cold. For cold foam, the dispenser is typically chilled in ice water for about 15 minutes before use, while for hot foam, the dispenser is warmed in hot water.

In addition to culinary uses, whipped cream chargers are also a cheap source of N2O for model rocket enthusiasts. N2O is an oxidizer used in solid fuel for micro hybrid rocket engines such as those using polyethylene. The use of N2O improves combustion, allowing rockets equipped with whipped cream chargers to fly higher than traditionally designed rockets.

The contents of whipped cream chargers may also be abused as an inhalant to produce psychoactive effects. Inhalation from whipped cream chargers is a common method of personal N2O abuse. Whipped cream chargers are inexpensive and widely available on the market, making them easily accessible.