Nitrous Dispensers are responsible for emitting more greenhouse gases than coal fired power stations!

This may not be an actual fact based fact – but there is no denying that nitrous oxide is a contributor to global warming. So how does this information site with the perfectly well meaning people that just enjoy a bit of whipped cream?

The nitrous dispenser contains about two litres of compressed nitrous oxide gas which is then released into the cream whipper where it is still under pressure – although slightly less pressure. The half litre cream whipper will hold the 8 grammes of N2O of gas at four four times atmospheric pressure, whereas inside the cream chargers the gas is at many 100 times higher pressure. The Nitrous oxide does not dissolve or react with the cream inside the dispenser but just mixes with the cream.

When the trigger is pulled then the cream is released out of the nozzle where it equalizes to atmospheric pressure. As the pressure is reduced, the gas expands to four times its original volume – and as it does so it inflates tiny bubbles of cream.

It is worth noting that the “Whipped Cream” is actually more accurately described as inflated cream – and it will return to its liquid state as is leaks out of the cream in much the same way a party balloon will slowly go down as the air you blew into it under pressure equalizes by passing through the balloon’s rubber skin.

So remember – every one litre of N2O that gets released from a nitrous dispenser kills an islander in the Maldives – you cream lovers are not laughing now are you?