Why Use a Whipped Cream Dispenser?

There can be a number of great uses for a whipped cream dispenser and the more you use it, the more ideas you will discover. Whether you run a commercial bakery, restaurant or simply want the flexibility and creativity that your own dispenser can create for home baked treats, you will find unlimited uses for this handy kitchen tool. Most quality dispensers come with a variety of nozzles or tips that can be used to help you create decorative whipped cream borders and flourishes. These tips can be a great way to add a swirl, rosette or other embellishment to a simple dish of pudding, tapioca or gelatin. However, pies, cakes and more can also be quickly and elegantly decorated with a variety of whipped cream toppings.

What to Look for in a Dispenser

A whipped cream dispenser should be constructed with quality materials and workmanship. These dispensers rely on a complete seal so that the NO2 cartridges can be discharged into the dispenser without any leakage. Additionally, the solid construction should include an ergonomic design that makes it easy to handle the filled dispenser. When decorating with a whipped cream dispenser it is important to keep the canister as vertical as possible, so a side handle is often included to help hold your dispenser in the best position.

In addition to construction and ergonomic design, other factors you will want to consider include decorative tips and a cleaning brush. Dispensers and tips can be difficult to clean thoroughly without a cleaning brush. Also, if you intend on making decorative embellishments with your whipped cream you will probably want a nice selection of decorative tips so that you can add a variety of different designs to your treats. In fact, you can even get a filling needle that will allow you to inject your whipped cream directly into pastries and desserts. This can be an excellent way to create elegant filled desserts in a matter of minutes.

Some dispensers come with a silicone gasket and can be used with hot foods. If this is something you are interested in, you will want to be sure that you choose a model that includes a silicone gasket or that has a silicone gasket available for purchase as an additional option. Additionally, some manufacturers offer insulated canisters for use in situations where you need to keep the food hot or cold. These canisters or dispensers are designed to maintain their temperature for up to 8 hours. They will require no refrigeration or reheating and can be especially convenient for parties, catering or other events where you want to leave the dispenser out.

What Size Should You Choose?

There are three standard sizes that are fairly typical with most brands; these include 1 cup, 2 cup and 4 cup designs; however, not all models are available in each of these capacities. The size you choose will depend on how you want to use your dispenser and the capacity that you need. If you are planning on decorating an entire cake or pie, you might want to consider either the 2 or 4 cup models. However, if you will only be decorating a couple of desserts and just want to have your own freshly made whipped cream on hand, the one cup model is often ideal.

Restaurants, caterers and home cooks who will be serving a crowd or who have a number of desserts to top at one time will certainly want to consider the advantages of using the larger 4 cup dispenser. While this larger size might be a little more difficult to handle, it will also allow you to easily make a single batch of whipped cream that will be enough to complete your dessert decorations. It is important to remember that the 4 cup dispenser will also require two to three N20 cartridges.

Using a Whipped Cream Dispenser

Many people use a whipped cream dispenser in order to have the flexibility to create their own fillings and toppings. You can easily adapt your whipped cream to be either unsweetened or as sweet as you like. Additionally, you can add flavorings such as chocolate, espresso, almond or vanilla to give your whipped cream an extra boost of gourmet flavor.

Depending on what you are making, you can even add ground cinnamon or nutmeg for an even more flavorful boost. Adding various spices and flavorings can be especially delicious for topping puddings, custards, eggnog and other favorite treats. However, one of the biggest advantages of using a whipped cream dispenser is that it offers you the flexibility to create any flavor combinations you like while controlling the sugar and eliminating other unnecessary added ingredients. When you make your own fresh whipped cream, you know exactly what goes into your topping and you can control the quality of ingredients you use.

N2O Cartridges for Your Dispenser

N20 chargers or cartridges are an essential part of your whipped cream dispenser. Without the nitrous oxide gas, the cream will not come out whipped. You will need one N20 charger for the one-cup or two-cup capacity dispensers and two to three chargers for the four-cup dispenser. Quality chargers dispense 8 g of pure N20 or nitrous oxide gas per canister.

N20 cartridges can be purchased in boxes of 10, 24 or 50 chargers per box, which is usually sufficient for home use; however, larger quantities are available. Additionally, there is even a filtration kit available that can filter the gas coming out of the N20 cartridge before being introduced to the whipped cream.

Where to Find the Best Dispenser for Your Needs

Many home stores, specialty shops, gourmet food stores and kitchen supply centers offer a selection of whipped cream dispensers and N20 chargers. However, many people have found that ordering their dispensers online is much more convenient and offers a wider selection of models and canister sizes to choose from.

Regardless of which model you choose, be sure to do your research and get the one that will best meet our needs. Additionally, you want to read through the instructions to ensure you understand exactly how to use your whipped cream dispenser before you begin adding the N20 charge.