Sure, you can use a mixer or whip the cream by hand, but a whipped cream dispenser makes it so much easier. It’s also a more eco-friendly and healthier option than buying prepackaged whipped cream in an aerosol can. Based on quality, performance, and ease of use and cleaning, I chose the iSi Gourmet Whip Cream and Food Whipper as my top choice. Whatever your whipped cream-making needs are, we’re here to help you navigate the options. Here are my recommendations. What We Don’t Love: Not insulated, uses a proprietary cartridge ISi is known for its professional whipped cream makers for good reason. Their professional standard stainless steel construction is both NSF- and HACCP-rated. Their gourmet whipper works with both hot and cold liquids, making it versatile in the kitchen. It’s great for decorating desserts or creating flavored foams or espumas for soups and other dishes. The whipper includes three design tips and a cleaning brush. The rest of the dispenser is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The only downside is that you’ll have to use their proprietary cartridge to maintain its warranty. Price at time of publish: $113 Dimensions: 4 x 14 inches | Materials: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1 pint | Cartridge: Proprietary iSi Professional or Sparkwhip 8g cartridge What We Don’t Love: One-year limited warranty, plastic tips Although the EurKitchen whipped cream dispenser is made with an aluminum body, it’s still plenty sturdy enough for home kitchens. Given the price, you would expect a lesser product. It comes complete with three decorating tips, a cleaning brush, and an extra gasket. The nice thing about it is that it’s easy to use and a cinch to clean. The only downsides are the plastic tips and nozzle. The aluminum body is not as sturdy as stainless steel, but still a value. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 3.5 x 12.5 inches | Materials: Aluminum body, silicone gasket, plastic tips | Capacity: 1 pint | Cartridge: Standard 8-gram N2O cartridges What We Don’t Love: Plastic head and dispenser, proprietary cartridge If you’re cooking for yourself or just a family of two, this mini whipped cream dispenser lets you have fresh homemade whipped cream in just seconds without any waste. Its compact design not only holds just half a pint of whipped cream, but it fits neatly into your refrigerator door for easy storage (up to 10 days in the fridge). It’s also easy to use, and the stainless steel body easily cleans in the dishwasher. However, be sure to use and clean the plastic tips with care. It does come with a little brush to help with cleaning. You’ll have to use their proprietary cartridge/charger to maintain the warranty. Price at time of publish: $60 Dimensions: 3.7 x 7.6 inches | Materials: Stainless steel body, plastic dispenser and tips | Capacity: 0.5 pint | Cartridge: Proprietary iSi Professional or Sparkwhip 8-gram cartridge What We Don’t love: Requires a bit of shaking before using This whipped cream dispenser’s stainless steel body allows for use with both cold and hot liquids. The body and the headset are dishwasher-safe, but the tips and smaller parts should be hand-washed. It also comes with a couple of decorative tips, a holder for the cartridges, and a brush to clean the little parts. Given the price, this is one of the most affordable stainless steel whipped cream makers on the market. Reviewers like that its performance is comparable to more expensive brands, and that it’s easy to use. Many also say it feels sturdy, and that it’s a huge plus that the dispenser is dishwasher-safe. A few people who’ve tried this with nitro cold brew like that it comes out smooth and turns the coffee sweet—just like in the coffee shops. Price at time of publish: $59 Dimensions: 3.7 x 12.8 inches | Materials: Stainless steel body and tips, aluminum piston, silicone seals | Capacity: 1 pint | Cartridge: 8-gram N2O cartridges What We Don’t Love: Requires manual labor, only a 15-ounce capacity Miecux’s manual whipped cream maker requires no expensive cartridges or special dispensers. All you need is a bit of elbow grease to make your own whipped cream at home. The two parts of the machine come apart for easy cleaning. The nice thing about using a manual whipper, is that you can control the level of whipping of the cream. So, it doubles easily as a milk frother or even butter maker (if you want to pump it longer). Just be sure not to overfill the liquid so that the cream has room to expand. Price at time of publish: $15 Dimensions: 3.1 x 17.5 inches tall | Materials: Plastic and silicone | Capacity: 15 ounces | Cartridge: N/A
How We Selected
Cecilia sifted through dozens of top-rated and best-selling whipped cream dispensers, taking into account user reviews and available manufacturer information to choose her top picks. She also used her knowledge as a chef and recipe developer, and drew from her expertise in baking, to evaluate each dispenser’s quality, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and features. Cecilia interviewed Jack Lawson of food and recipe resource wegsite The Sous Vide Guy for his take on homemade whipped cream and dispensers. Cecilia congregated all this information to come up with her final list, craft her guidance around buying whipped cream dispensers, and answer frequently asked questions.
What to Look for in a Whipped Cream Dispenser
Before you purchase a whipped cream dispenser, you’ll want to decide what your needs are. Think about the capacity you need, what kind of cartridge you’ll use, and so on. Do you want it for decorating fancy desserts? Then, you may want one with different nozzles. How often you’ll be using your cream dispenser will determine how heavy-duty you want yours to be (stainless steel versus plastic, for example). If you see yourself making cocktails and entertaining often, you may want a larger capacity, professional-grade whipped cream maker. If you’re just whipping cream for yourself and a loved one, a mini version might be just fine. Even if you are on a budget, there is a whipped cream maker for you. You may want to get one that uses easy-to-find, standard 8-gram N20 cartridges or an affordable manual one.
How does a whipped cream dispenser work?
Whipped dispenser turns your heavy cream into a light and airy foam that you can just squeeze over your desserts. The dispenser uses cartridges that release nitrous oxide to create pressure inside the dispenser, which turns the liquid cream into the airy fluff that we know and love. All you have to do is fill the dispenser with cream, shake, and pull the trigger. The beauty of a whipped cream dispenser is that it works on other liquids too! You can make mousse, sauce, infused oils, and even fun cocktails.
How long can you keep whipped cream in a dispenser?
Any whipping cream left in your dispenser can be saved for later use. Just refrigerate the entire dispenser. The cream should stay fresh at least until the sold-by date on your cream container. However, you’ll get the best results if you use the cream within seven to 14 days of pouring it into the dispenser, depending on the model and the freshness of your cream. For best results, store the dispenser on its side in your refrigerator.
Do I have to use a cold liquid for whipping?
It depends on your dispenser. For sure, you will need to use chilled cream in plastic and aluminum dispensers. But, check your manufacturer’s instruction manual to see if you can use hot liquids in your whipped cream maker. Some that have silicone gaskets and stainless steel bodies will allow you to whip hot liquids as well (for garnishing soups and whatnot).
What is the difference between whipping cream and heavy cream?
Although some recipes will use whipping cream and heavy cream interchangeably, there is a difference. According to the FDA, a product has to have at least 36 percent milk fat to be able to be labeled heavy cream. While whipping cream can have anywhere from 30 to 36 percent milk fat. So, in general, heavy cream will be thicker and, well, creamier.
What is an N20 charger?
The N20 charger (or cartridge) is a steel cylinder filled with compressed nitrous oxide (the chemical formula is N2O or N2O, which means two molecules of nitrogen per one molecule of oxygen). The steel cartridges are designed to power whipped cream dispensers. The cartridges are designed for low-volume use and are recyclable.
Do I have to use cream in my whipped cream maker?
To get that thick, classic whipped cream, you’ll want to use a cream with at least 28 percent fat. But you can usually use coconut cream for a vegan treat. Just be sure to chill the cream in the refrigerator for the best effect. Also, you can use your whipped cream maker for other uses, like making nitro brew coffee, or any number of culinary foams. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee is a writer, photographer, former restaurant owner, recipe developer and chef. She travels around the globe, photographing, eating and cooking as she does. When not traveling, she spends a lot of time gardening and cooking at home. She is passionate about finding the best quality and making home cooking as quick and easy as possible. Her specialty is seeking little-known items that offers the best bang for your buck. She’s always looking for an excuse to garnish her desserts and drinks with fresh whipped cream. Read Next: The Best Mixing Bowls
