[SGVHAK] How to acquire LN2 for ice cream making

[Lan Dang]

For a number of years, I've been wondering how to acquire liquid nitrogen to make ice cream.  I knew the issue wasn't getting the liquid nitrogen, but the dewar.  Casual inquiries usually boiled down to, "Oh, we borrowed a dewar from school/work."


To cut a long story short, I am not able to acquire LN2 for this year's BBQ, but I finally have a source for it, and some information about costs.

There is a company called Cryotek in Upland, CA that specializes in delivering LN2 to various customers, including doctors, restaurants, etc.  I spoke with Rick, who gave me some good recommendations.  They only deliver Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays); they do not stock it on location.  I'm not sure they even have a storefront.  


For a crowd of 30 people, he recommended a 5L dewar, which rents for about $24.50 a month.  I would probably go for a larger dewar, just because LN2 is constantly sublimating, and my parties tend to be on Saturdays. 


The liquid nitrogen is about $4.58/L + tax, and there is a $15 fee per pickup or drop off.


So next year, I'll be planning a food-hacking party centered around LN2.  I need to get my hands on Cooking for Geeks for some ideas.  

http://static.cookingforgeeks.com/press/press-kits/cooking-for-geeks-p374-377-liquid-nitrogen.pdf

This year, we'll still be playing around with dry ice.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Anti-Griddle/
http://www.chefsteps.com/activities/making-ice-cream-with-dry-ice


Lan