Expert: Henry Boyter - 7/10/2007

Question
Hello Henry,
 I like to prepare desserts, and one dessert I saw on television was chocolate covered icecream.  The difficulty is that you must work very quickly to keep the ice cream cold, and wait for 1-2 hours in between steps to ensure the icecream stays cold.  I'm wondering if it would be possible to use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher to help cool the ice cream balls.  If I purchase a CO2 based fire extinguisher, is it sanitary and safe to use in this manner?  I'm not injecting the CO2 into the icecream, just blowing it over the balls to keep them cold

Answer
CO2 extinguishers will have an oil residual in the spray.  It will be a very small amount, but I would not use it for food.  It would also not work for very long.  Why not just buy some dry ice and put it in a cooler?  Call your local compressed gas dealer or the nearest dairy to find out where to get it in your area.  I am told in some parts of the USA, grocery stores will get it for you.