iSi NA North America CO2 Soda Siphon Charger for use with Classic Sodamaker and Soda Siphon, 10 Pack, Gold

These are CO2 (carbon dioxide) cartridges, good for making SODA WATER (club soda/seltzer). They are not for making whipped cream, as some reviewers thought.There is a totally separate product called N2O (nitrous oxide) cartridges that are used with a whipped cream dispenser to make delicious, fresh whipped cream. Chemically, N2O is exactly the same laughing gas that old-time dentists used to supply to patients in place of novocaine. You CANNOT use CO2 cartridges as a substitute for N2O cartridges to make whipped cream.If you inject CO2 to make whipped cream, the acidic nature of CO2 will curdle the proteins in the cream and it will taste sour. (For the chemists among us, when CO2 comes in contact with water, it dissolves and becomes carbonic acid. This weak acid sours the cream in the same way that vinegar curdles milk.) I saw a 2-star review from a person who complained about the sour taste of the "whipped cream" that these CO2 cartridges produced! She is right on target with her observations, and was possibly misled by the erroneous caption.[ Kudos to Amazon for updating the product page; the headline reference to this product as being for whipped cream have been removed.]Now to review the actual product: This is a really good brand of CO2 cartridge for making Seltzer (soda water). I cannot recall this iSi brand ever producing a nasty aftertaste like some other brands do. I've used cartridges that occasionally produce an oily or metallic soda water, and it pretty much destroys the enjoyment of the seltzer.These cartridges cost about 40% more than the cheapest brands. That's why I rated these iSi cartridges as 2 stars under "value for money". I love to economize, but if I get a nasty taste with a budget cartridge, I haven't saved money. Maddeningly, one never knows when a cartridge will be pure, or when it will carry contaminants. It must be a matter of quality control in manufacturing. Perhaps iSi simply has the best quality control?The iSi cartridges produce a slightly better charge in a seltzer maker: they provide 8.4 grams of CO2 instead of the usual 8 grams. This is only 5% more gas than generic cartridges, but I perceive a difference...a charge from these iSi cartridges is livelier. If you're cutting a fruit juice with seltzer, as I do, you'll use less of this seltzer to achieve a bubbly drink.I wish that I could buy iSi cartridges in bulk and get a volume discount. At current pricing, we are paying $1.10 per quart of seltzer. Generic brands cost 53¢ per quart.

I have an old school looking wire mesh around glass seltzer dispenser. I've used ISI cartridges before but these didn't fit- they're about 1/8" too long. It's because they're extra gas type. If your charger holder is metal and super tight make sure before ordering. Most plastic holders will allow a fair amount of wiggle room so they'll fit.For the old school seltzer bottles (mine is from Williams Sonoma) they use 8g cartridges which I’ve gotten from ISI before but these are 8.4g.I'm giving 5 stars because they are original ISI and when i complained to the seller they offered an immediate refund.