Whipping siphon queries

Hi, I realise there has been a topic on whipping siphons (isi versus other brands) but I wanted to clarify all my doubts so started a new one. I've a tendency to rattle on, so I apologise...

1. Is it okay to put hot liquids in aluminium siphons? Many of the stores specifically say not to make hot espumas using all aluminium siphons even with aluminium heads, and I'm wondering why. I mean, the professional stainless steel versions look sleek and nice but I don't see why aluminium can't stand some heat, considering it's not that high a temperature. As a student I don't have that big a budget and I'd really like to save some money if possible, to spend on other cooking stuff.

2. Does the amount of liquid affect the amount of cartridges to be used? I see the rationale behind getting a 1L capacity siphon just in case, but I figure most of my usage will be less than 500ml. Since it takes 2 cartridges per use normally, will it require more to properly charge the contents with gas if it the siphon is less than half full?

3. Do most siphons have nozzles that fit with CO2 cartridges? I'm assuming so since most siphons seem to take NO2 cartridges from all brands, so if CO2 cartridges can fit one brand's whipper it should also be able to fit whippers from the rest. Still, would just like to be sure...

4. Brand woes - has there been any brand that anyone experienced to be completely disastrous and not fit for use? I'm not trying to be too much of a miser, but if stainless steel is a must, then options from smaller brands offer significant savings. I'm also thinking that the brand might be a factor for plastic bodies, but quality can't be too atrocious if it's S/S.

Lastly, the specific model I had in mind is the aluminium siphon with aluminium head from MOSA, either 1/2 or 1L capacity. If anyone has had good/bad experience with this, I'd really appreciate any comments. Thanks so much!

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Comments

Brendan_Lee_56950

I have the 1L MOSA and a 1/2L off brand as well. They take both NO2 and CO2 just fine, the threads are the same. I've never heard anyone advise specifically against hot liquids and aluminum siphons, i've done hot (55C) blue cheese before and it was fine (you may be wanting hotter in which case I haven't tried that), it may lose heat quicker than the steel but otherwise I haven't had much issue.

With the 1L I always use 3 cartridges, regardless of the amount of liquid (Add one, purge, then charge with 2) and with the 1/2L I always use two (purge with 1, charge with the other). But both will take more charges if necessary.

DiggingDogFarm_65362

I haven't seen the warnings regarding aluminum and hot liquids but not all ISI whippers are intended for such use without modification.

ISI Profi PLUS

"Different then the Gourmet whip this does not come with a silicone gasket, meaning, you can not use it for hot items. If you want to use this dispenser for hot items you can purchase a silicone gasket here."

ISI Gourmet Whip PLUS

"....designed for both hot and cold foods."

ISI Thermo Whip

"It also keeps ingredients hot – without the need to reheat – for up to three hours."

~Martin

grant

I would say if you are using it at home, go ahead and buy a cheap one. If its for a restaurant or professional use, defiantly buy the isi. They make the siphons out of the best materials(longer lasting) and they employ in my opinion the best design. This is important when you are making delicate foams or want total control over the rate at which you dispense contents. The cheaper ones often have poorly designed valves, spring systems and materials that fatigue or offer little sensitivity to your controls. They are also often very difficult to clean, which is very bad for a restaurant and the public.

Chris_Young_80640

The main concern a manufacturer would have with using aluminum units for hot foams would go something like this.

(1) Gas is injected into a cold liquid and the siphon is pressurized to, say, 80 psig.

(2) Siphon is then heated from cold to hot, so the gas pressure increases a lot.

(3) Metal must withstand that extra force, which is beyond its intended design limit.

(4) Aluminum fatigues faster than steel, and the higher pressures that might occur when preparing hot forms mean that there is a higher change the metal siphon will fail in the future.

(5) Manufacturer has liability for this failure.

kevinngsi_jie_81749

Thank you all very much! I didn't read up much about hot foams and always assumed they would be charged when the contents were hot, so I didn't think of the pressure changes. Is there a reason why you can't do that, though (as opposed to charging a cold liquid before heating)

Last question - what's the minimum amount for normal use of the siphon? I'll most likely get the 1L stainless steel siphon since it's only a small increase from the 0.5L version, but would it still work fine if I only had, say, 0.2L worth of liquid? Thanks again!

lfmichaud

You can use a larger syphon for your smaller recipes. You may get a little bit more of loss but you'll need much more cartridge of gas to get the same effect. Since with a small quantity like your example you'll have three or four time more head space than with the smaller syphon you'll need to compensate by putting more cartridges.

SteveM_20803

@Chris Young "(4) Aluminum fatigues faster than steel, and the higher pressures that might occur when preparing hot forms mean that there is a higher change the metal siphon will fail in the future"

There is a big difference between stainless steel and steel. The qualities that make stainless steel desirable over regular steel also make is much less durable. The best way I heard it described is stainless is tough but not strong. For example it is very to smear threads on stainless steel nut and bolt than it is on a normal steel one. My guess would be in this instance aluminum and stainless would perform about the same.

grant

For me and my experience, its more practical than theory. I find the canisters make zero difference in the performance, after all we are talking about extremely low pressures compared to what the tolerances are for the metals. I find the cheaper brands have flaws int their valve systems and springs. Most of the cheap ones operate at on or off flow, whereas the ISI's have a fluid range of motion where you can depress slowly all the way to fully open. Its an extremely important factor if you are doing anything beyond carbonated thin liquids.

Johan_Edstrom_5586

A South Park episode does come to mind....

ipreferale

Just a quick clarification on NO2 vs N2O. One makes you happy and is great use in an iSI and one has the potential to kill you. N2O is Nitrous Oxide, the happy compound and NO2 is Nitrogen Dioxide the not so happy one.

I realize that it would be difficult for most to get their hands on NO2, albeit in a container that would fit an iSi, but just wanted to claify.