Quick answer: a soda siphon carbonates water with carbon dioxide (CO2); a whipped cream dispenser aerates cream with nitrous oxide (N2O). They look alike and both take small steel cartridges, but the gases and the jobs are different, and they are not interchangeable.
Side by side
| Soda siphon | Whipped cream dispenser | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Nitrous oxide (N2O) |
| What goes in | Cold water | Cream, or a smooth liquid base |
| What comes out | Sparkling water | Whipped cream, mousse, foam |
| How it is held | Upright; a tube draws from the bottom | Upside down; no tube |
| Taste effect | Sharp, slightly acidic fizz | Neutral, slightly sweet |
How does a soda siphon work?
- Fill the bottle with cold water to the fill line and screw on the head.
- Screw in a CO2 cartridge. The gas rushes in and dissolves into the water under pressure.
- Shake briefly and chill.
- Press the lever with the siphon upright: pressure pushes the water up the internal tube and out as soda.
How does a whipped cream dispenser work?
Nitrous oxide dissolves into the fat in cold cream under pressure. When the cream leaves the nozzle, the gas expands into tiny bubbles and whips it. See what a cream charger is and why nitrous oxide is used for whipped cream.
Why are the gases not interchangeable?
- CO2 in cream: forms carbonic acid, so the cream tastes fizzy and sour.
- N2O in water: does not make it sparkle the way CO2 does.
- Use the cartridge type your device was made for.
Which do you need?
- Sparkling water and sodas: a soda siphon; see Italian cream soda.
- Whipped cream, mousses, espuma and cold foam: a whipped cream dispenser; see how to choose a whipped cream dispenser.
Step-by-step use: how to use a whipped cream dispenser.
Frequently asked questions
How does a soda siphon work?
You fill it with cold water and charge it with a CO2 cartridge. The gas dissolves under pressure, and pressing the lever pushes sparkling water up a tube and out of the spout.
Can I use a whipped cream dispenser as a soda siphon?
They are built for different jobs. A soda siphon has a tube that draws from the bottom and is used upright; a cream dispenser is used upside down. Follow the maker’s instructions for each.
Can I use CO2 chargers to whip cream?
No. CO2 makes cream fizzy and sour. Whipped cream needs nitrous oxide.
Can I put juice or wine in a soda siphon?
Most makers say water only, because sugars and pulp clog the valve. Check your siphon’s instructions.
