Soda Chargers vs Cream Chargers

One of the great things about Taste Revolution is that we provide a wealth of supplies to enable you to start experimenting with more creative recipes and techniques. This includes the use of both soda chargers and cream chargers. From making carbonated drinks to whipped cream for your desserts, it’s just the beginning of your gastronomy adventure.

However, whether you’re a novice or expert, it can be easy to get these two chargers mixed up as they aren’t the same.

We’ve put together this blog to explain the difference between soda chargers and cream chargers, and which one (or both) is essential for your kitchen cupboard.

What is a Soda Charger?

A soda charger is a small, metallic canister filled with pure carbon dioxide gas (CO2). They’re typically used in the commercial food industry as well as households who love fizzy drinks.

A soda charger is combined with a CO2 soda siphon and a liquid to make a new carbonated drink. The CO2 is released all at once, creating that fizz in our drinks.

As simple as it seems, there's actually some complex science behind how carbonated drinks are made.

Usually, CO2 and water don't naturally mix because their molecular shapes prevent them from forming chemical bonds.

So how do soda chargers work? It's due to the pressure of combining the liquid and gas together as they're forced to mix.

Even though this happens, there's a limited time to the drink staying fizzy. This is because as soon as the mixture is released into normal pressure conditions, the carbon dioxide escapes the liquid to combine with other CO2 particles. This leaves the rest of the liquid to sit with fewer bubbles - hence why carbonated drinks go flat.

How to use a Soda Charger

The best way to use soda chargers is to have a soda siphon to create your carbonated drink.

If this is your first time using your siphon, we highly recommend cleaning all of your equipment before using it.

Press the lever at the top of the siphon to ensure it's not charged.
Unscrew the lid and remove the siphon tube inside, then fill the siphon body to the top with your desired liquid.
Put the tube back into the siphon and screw the lid on tightly.
Insert the soda charger into the holder and screw firmly onto the siphon head. The charger is automatically pierced and the CO2 gas is discharged. You'll know when the siphon is charged when you can't hear the gas bubbling into the liquid anymore. This usually takes around 30 seconds.
Shake the siphon.
Remove the soda charger. You'll hear a gentle pop or hiss when you do this, but it'll stop in a couple of seconds.

How does a Soda Charger Differ from a Cream Charger?

Though they do look the same when packaged, a soda charger and a cream charger are quite different.

Where soda chargers contain carbon dioxide, cream chargers contain nitrous oxide (N2O). As these two gases are very different on a molecular level, it's no surprise that they'll react differently when exposed to various substances.

For example, we already know that soda chargers are used with a soda siphon to prepare a carbonated drink, whereas a cream charger will help you produce a number of things. The most popular way to use a cream charger is to create voluminous whipped cream using a cream whipper. But, they can also be used for infusion, which is a process that allows you to add flavours to a variety of liquids, such as alcohol, oils, and kinds of vinegar.

It's important to note that soda chargers and cream chargers aren't interchangeable. They're used in specific instances for a reason.

For example, the nitrous oxide in a cream charger needs a thicker substance to mix with. So, if you tried to use a cream charger to make fizzy water, it just wouldn't work. This is because the water would be too thin to capture the N2O molecules.

How to use a Cream Charger

To use cream chargers, it's best to have a cream whipper dispenser handy to create your whipped cream or infused liquid.

If this is your first time using a cream whipper, we highly recommend cleaning all of your equipment before using it.

Insert a piping tip at the top of the cream whipper and ensure it's connected properly to the head value.
Unscrew the lid and pour your desired cream (if you’re making whipped cream) or your solid ingredients and liquid (if you’re making infused liquid) into the bottle. Remember, some space should be left at the top so the gas and ingredients can be shaken together.
Secure the lid tightly onto the bottle and put the cream charger into the holder and screw it onto the head of the canister.
Twist it gently until you hear the gas being released, then shake!
Press the lever and enjoy.

The N2O gas does act as a preservative, but only for the contents pressurised within the dispenser alongside the nitrous oxide, so if you’re storing your cream whipper overnight, remove the decorating nozzle for cleaning and keep it refrigerated.
SAFETY WARNING: When your cream whipper is empty, and you want to dismantle the siphon, remember the canister is pressurised, so before you refill, press the lever to release all the pressure.

Soda Charger vs Cream Charger

So, now you know the difference between soda chargers and cream chargers, it's time to decide which one is better suited to your needs.

To recap, soda chargers contain carbon dioxide which is responsible for carbonating liquid whereas cream chargers contain nitrous oxide which can create whipped cream or infused liquids.

Both of them have their benefits - soda chargers can produce fancy, bubbly drinks, whereas cream chargers make the perfect choice for whipped cream, foams, sauces and desserts. The choices are endless with both chargers.

In fact, if you're spoilt for choice, both of them are great to add some flare to your at-home meals. However, we recommend if you’re using both kinds of chargers that you make sure you store them separately or label them, as they do look very similar.

So, whether you’d prefer to start your gastronomy adventure with soda chargers or cream chargers, or if you feel confident using both, Taste Revolution provides high-quality, simple and affordable equipment across the UK.

If you need any help choosing the right equipment for your next culinary adventure, get in touch with us!

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