30 DAYS OPEN PURCHASEAbout additive for making carbonated rice from IceBerg
We at KitchenLab like gadgets that do something nothing else can do a little extra. Things that are real uni-taskers, but have such a function that we happily let them take up considerable space in our kitchens. For some of us, this is just such a gadget.
From the Dutch company IceBerg comes this machine that allows you to make carbonated rice at home - and it's easy! No technology or even electricity is required, just turn on the flow in your carbonation bottle, pull down the lever and watch as the tube fizzes and sprays while the frost slowly creeps up the hose. While it may seem to behave like an obnoxious teenager, it's just as harmless. It takes little more than a minute and you have fresh, ice-cold carbonated ice of a fluffy nature.
What is carbonated ice and what should I use it for?
Carbonated ice or dry ice is simply carbon dioxide that is frozen and compressed. It is created by first compressing carbon dioxide under high pressure (around 15-20 bar) and then turning it into a liquid form. This is the carbon dioxide you have in the gas cylinder. Then, when you release the pressure, some of the liquid evaporates quickly while the rest is pushed into a container. In this process, the carbon dioxide cools down and is compressed into solid blocks of ice.
The reason why carbon dioxide ice is also called dry ice is because at -78.5ºC it sublimates - i.e. goes directly from solid to gas without being liquid. This means that the ice disappears without the slightest trace of ever having existed. That means no mess, no wetness, but plenty of power.
You may be familiar with the scenario where you've placed a well-watered dessert on a seemingly frozen plate, only to see it slowly melt a few minutes later, looking more like some half-baked Gaudí building. Because carbonated rice is so cold and takes a long time to melt, it is effective at keeping things cold for longer periods of time. Put a few pieces under the dishes and it will keep your chilled dishes cold for quite some time. Just make sure there are gaps for the steam to escape, otherwise it can build up a lot of pressure.
Another obvious application is the rather cheeky smoke effect that occurs when mixed with something warmer. Use it to make snappy presentations and effective servings. Some slightly more alternative uses for your carbonic acid rice include removing weeds, polishing your bronze stays or carbonating fruit.
Store the carbonic acid in an isothermal box - such as the one here, or other Styrofoam box. We recommend that you do not store the ice in the freezer, even if it seems like a reasonable decision. The freezer's thermostat will turn off because the carbonated ice is so extremely cold. Instead of the freezer keeping the ice cold, it will be the ice that does the work of cooling your freezer.
It takes about 1.5 kg of carbon dioxide to make a tube of 250 grams of dry ice.
What's included in the package:
Coupling system
Condensation tube for 250 grams of ice
Gloves
Glasses
Wall mount
Please note!
The carbon dioxide tube is not included. The easiest way to buy it is by contacting a distributor such as AGA. It is important to make sure that the bottle has a riser so that the carbon dioxide is picked up from the bottom of the bottle, otherwise it will not work.
Carbon dioxide rice is extremely cold and should not be handled with bare skin - always wear protective gloves.
Never eat or drink anything that contains pieces of carbon dioxide rice - it can cause serious injury. Applying dry ice in cooking is harmless as long as you make sure all the ice dissolves.
