Dissociatives Nitrous questions: safer with chargers or pressure regulator and tank? How dangerous is it really? etc.

[Mycophile]

When it comes to nitrous, would most of you guys say that it's safer to use a whip cream dispenser with chargers and balloons than a tank?

Cause generally I've done the former once a year, like maybe 2-3 days a week for about 3-4 weeks, and I've never had an issue, but hearing about these tanks makes me concerned. I'd like to be able to use a tank hooked up to a dispenser though cause it's easier than constantly using chargers, but I want to know if that's more dangerous. I've never felt in danger using balloons with a dispenser or hand cracker basically just a couple days a week during my yearly month long vacation.

The thing is, I bought a couple of the popular brand of tank (am I allowed to say the brand or is that sourcing??) and I didn't realize you need a pressure regulator with a hose to attach to a dispenser, so I was just putting balloons on the top of the tanks and twisting that thing on the top to release the gas. For some reason, that resulted in fraying of the lining on these things which means that I now have TWO tanks I totally can't use.

So I'm considering buying a pressure regulator BUT I'm wondering the following 1) is it generally much safer to stick with the chargers and not use the tanks, or is the safety level about the same? 2) is it hard to hook up one of these pressure regulators to a tank and use it? 3) is it hard for someone with ZERO science-skills to make a tank that mixes in oxygen to make it safer? Cause I'm assuming it's not easy, though my brother could do it I'm almost sure. 4) Do I really have to use B12 injections if I only use nitrous once a year, like a few hours a week for a month or so? Cause I have never injected myself with B12 and I'm not sure how comfortable I feel ordering it and doing that.

I know anything done wrong and/or in too high a dose can be dangerous, but I have never felt in danger using either a dispenser or a hand cracker with balloons just a few days a week a few weeks out of the year.

I'd like to know from any nitrous users if it's worth it to get a pressure regulator or if they think I'll just get so into it with how much easier it is to use that it could be problematic.

I KNOW I'm going to at least use some chargers with a dispenser, but it's so damn annoying having to constantly twist them into the balloons and so much easier with the tanks.

I've never had any of these crazy scary side effects the FDA lists:

"Inhaling nitrous oxide can result in a range of symptoms and serious health problems, from abnormal blood counts, asphyxiation, blood clots, frostbite, headache, impaired bowel and bladder function, lightheadedness, limb weakness, loss of consciousness, numbness, palpitations, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, depression), tingling, trouble walking, vitamin B12 deficiency, and in some cases, death. For some individuals who regularly inhale nitrous oxide, this habit can lead to prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use."

 

[SvnLyrBrto]

When it comes to nitrous, would most of you guys say that it's safer to use a whip cream dispenser with chargers and balloons than a tank?

Cause generally I've done the former once a year, like maybe 2-3 days a week for about 3-4 weeks, and I've never had an issue, but hearing about these tanks makes me concerned. I'd like to be able to use a tank hooked up to a dispenser though cause it's easier than constantly using chargers, but I want to know if that's more dangerous. I've never felt in danger using balloons with a dispenser or hand cracker basically just a couple days a week during my yearly month long vacation.

The thing is, I bought a couple of the popular brand of tank (am I allowed to say the brand or is that sourcing??) and I didn't realize you need a pressure regulator with a hose to attach to a dispenser, so I was just putting balloons on the top of the tanks and twisting that thing on the top to release the gas. For some reason, that resulted in fraying of the lining on these things which means that I now have TWO tanks I totally can't use.

So I'm considering buying a pressure regulator BUT I'm wondering the following 1) is it generally much safer to stick with the chargers and not use the tanks, or is the safety level about the same? 2) is it hard to hook up one of these pressure regulators to a tank and use it? 3) is it hard for someone with ZERO science-skills to make a tank that mixes in oxygen to make it safer? Cause I'm assuming it's not easy, though my brother could do it I'm almost sure. 4) Do I really have to use B12 injections if I only use nitrous once a year, like a few hours a week for a month or so? Cause I have never injected myself with B12 and I'm not sure how comfortable I feel ordering it and doing that.

I know anything done wrong and/or in too high a dose can be dangerous, but I have never felt in danger using either a dispenser or a hand cracker with balloons just a few days a week a few weeks out of the year.

I'd like to know from any nitrous users if it's worth it to get a pressure regulator or if they think I'll just get so into it with how much easier it is to use that it could be problematic.

I KNOW I'm going to at least use some chargers with a dispenser, but it's so damn annoying having to constantly twist them into the balloons and so much easier with the tanks.

I've never had any of these crazy scary side effects the FDA lists:

"Inhaling nitrous oxide can result in a range of symptoms and serious health problems, from abnormal blood counts, asphyxiation, blood clots, frostbite, headache, impaired bowel and bladder function, lightheadedness, limb weakness, loss of consciousness, numbness, palpitations, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, depression), tingling, trouble walking, vitamin B12 deficiency, and in some cases, death. For some individuals who regularly inhale nitrous oxide, this habit can lead to prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use."

As long as you're using balloons, chargers versus tank is irrelevant. As to what's *IN* the tank, that's something to consider. The tanks I've seen myselfwere all random no-name brands. Who knows if it's even food grade at all? With chargers, you have reputable brands like ISI and Purewhip, which are used in restaurants and cafes and can be counted on to be at least food-safe, if not medical grade. And don't forget that even their chargers have a tiny bit of machine oil in there... another good reason to use a balloon. That oil is inevitable. But different brands have more or less of it. And who knows about those random tank brands? Now, if ISI were to start selling tanks, all I would say is that you should do the math and make sure that the tank really is the better deal, but otherwise whatever.

One place that the safety of chargers versus tank does come into play is the regulator. Those chargers are sturdy little bastards, and only have 8g of gas anyway. But with the tanks... the same places I've seen the tanks online have also sold regulators... pretty much all of which were horribly reviewed as unreliable crap that leaks or breaks quickly. Leaking isn't too bad; it just costs money. But something so poorly built and *not* leaking? With the PSI in those tanks, I don't even want to be in the same room if the regulator fails catastrophically. Also, don't forget... you don't just need to find one that's actually well-built enough to do its job. You have to find one that is at least food-safe, and ideally medical grade.

So yeah... I avoid the tanks. Plus, with chargers, you have the bonus that the canister (If you haven't already, just spend the money to get an ISI. You won't regret it.) can actually be used for making whipped cream! Or, if you're a fan of flavor-infused vodkas, you can use the nitrous oxide rapid infusion trick. You can also do sauces and deserts. You can add flavors to the whipped cream, or thickeners too to get pudding-like deserts. There are even attachments to use nitrogen chargers and aerate the output to make your own nitro-infused cold brew.

 

[nepalnt21]

i wonder... could ya make nitrous oxide soda?

 

[Mycophile]

As long as you're using balloons, chargers versus tank is irrelevant. As to what's *IN* the tank, that's something to consider. The tanks I've seen myselfwere all random no-name brands. Who knows if it's even food grade at all? With chargers, you have reputable brands like ISI and Purewhip, which are used in restaurants and cafes and can be counted on to be at least food-safe, if not medical grade. And don't forget that even their chargers have a tiny bit of machine oil in there... another good reason to use a balloon. That oil is inevitable. But different brands have more or less of it. And who knows about those random tank brands? Now, if ISI were to start selling tanks, all I would say is that you should do the math and make sure that the tank really is the better deal, but otherwise whatever.

One place that the safety of chargers versus tank does come into play is the regulator. Those chargers are sturdy little bastards, and only have 8g of gas anyway. But with the tanks... the same places I've seen the tanks online have also sold regulators... pretty much all of which were horribly reviewed as unreliable crap that leaks or breaks quickly. Leaking isn't too bad; it just costs money. But something so poorly built and *not* leaking? With the PSI in those tanks, I don't even want to be in the same room if the regulator fails catastrophically. Also, don't forget... you don't just need to find one that's actually well-built enough to do its job. You have to find one that is at least food-safe, and ideally medical grade.

So yeah... I avoid the tanks. Plus, with chargers, you have the bonus that the canister (If you haven't already, just spend the money to get an ISI. You won't regret it.) can actually be used for making whipped cream! Or, if you're a fan of flavor-infused vodkas, you can use the nitrous oxide rapid infusion trick. You can also do sauces and deserts. You can add flavors to the whipped cream, or thickeners too to get pudding-like deserts. There are even attachments to use nitrogen chargers and aerate the output to make your own nitro-infused cold brew.

Well, I have no interest in making whip cream. But what are the actual risks of one of the regulators not working properly and malfunctioning?

Like, could the tank explode and cause serious injury to death? Or is there some other risk? I hadn't considered that. I'd never suck directly of the hose or cannister without a balloon, so I know that's one risk, exploding/freezing lungs.

What exactly are you saying your argument is FOR the oil that is in the chargers? Cause I'm sure that stuff isn't great for you, but are you saying that for some reason you think that whatever the newer tanks have is worse for you?

As far as finding a tank that is a tank that is "food safe and ideally medical grade," how would I know in the first place?

Also, are the typical brands of chargers often sold online these days considered "food safe and medical grade."?

I really want to understand though why you think a tank is a greater risk. Cause what drives me nuts is having to CONSTANTLY twist the chargers. I want as little time between inhaling balloons as possible (though I'm worried that maybe someone speed that up could be worse for you since you'd do more balloons in less time).

Do you know any other way around it? The only other way I've figure out is preparing and tying up some of the punch balloons once full with nitrous cause then I can just grab them and do one after another etc, but that takes work and often the nitrous starts to slowly seep out of the balloons before I can hit them.

 

[Gary White]

I have been doing this around 50 years and I never used a balloon, I prefer a hose. Originally I just had an account at the welding store and swapped 20 pound tanks. The government shut that down.

For a while I used the 8g chargers and made a loader so I wasn't twisting a cap Be sure you have a filter because these things are full of oil. I also injected oxygen. to reduce the hypoxia danger.

This is the oil that collected in the charger bottle.

We were doing them 600 at a time.
Then I started getting the tanks. I found the black knob regulator is better than the silver knob one but they are all about the same.The 'O' ring that seals them to the tank going bad causes them to leak. Also they don't seem to like being turned off and on a lot so I have an "air gun" like mechanics use to meter the gas with a hose on the output. By the time the gas gets to me it is cool.

The problem now seems to be that since the first of the year, the big online merchant with the gray trucks is out of that business. They are not processing the orders.