Editing Nitrous oxide (section)

===Aerosol propellant for food===
[[File:N2O whippets.jpg|thumb|right|Food-grade {{chem|N|2|O}} [[whipped-cream charger]]s]]
The gas is approved for use as a [[food additive]] ([[E number|E&nbsp;number]]: E942), specifically as an [[Aerosol spray#Aerosol propellants|aerosol spray propellant]]. It is commonly used in aerosol [[whipped cream]] canisters and [[cooking spray]]s.

The gas is extremely soluble in fatty compounds. In pressurised aerosol whipped cream, it is dissolved in the fatty cream until it leaves the can, when it becomes gaseous and thus creates foam. This produces whipped cream four times the volume of the liquid, whereas whipping air into cream only produces twice the volume. Unlike air, nitrous oxide inhibits [[rancidification]] of the butterfat. Carbon dioxide cannot be used for whipped cream because it is acidic in water, which would curdle the cream and give it a seltzer-like "sparkle".

Extra-frothed whipped cream produced with nitrous oxide is unstable, and will return to liquid within half an hour to one hour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.explora-science.net/nitrousoxide-use-as-a-propellant-and-in-cooking/|title=Explora Science {{!}} Nitrous use as a propellant and in cooking|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-19|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227015310/http://www.explora-science.net/nitrousoxide-use-as-a-propellant-and-in-cooking/}}</ref> Thus, it is not suitable for decorating food that will not be served immediately.

In December 2016, there was a shortage of aerosol whipped cream in the United States, with canned whipped cream use at its peak during the [[Christmas and holiday season]], due to an explosion at the [[Air Liquide]] nitrous oxide facility in [[Florida]] in late August. The company prioritized the remaining supply of nitrous oxide to medical customers rather than to food manufacturing.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dewey |first=Caitlin |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/12/21/the-real-reason-you-cant-buy-whipped-cream-this-christmas/ |title=The real reason grocery stores are running out of whipped cream this Christmas |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2016-12-21 |access-date=2016-12-22 }}</ref>

Also, cooking spray, made from various oils with [[lecithin]] [[emulsifier]], may use nitrous oxide [[propellant]], or alternatively food-grade [[ethanol|alcohol]] or [[propane]].