Using/selecting a centrifuge in the kitchen?
I've seen several articles about using a centrifuge for clarifying solutions, making colorless sauces and other things. Where does this practice come from? What is your experience with it? Are there cheap options outside of lab-grade devices?
Best Answer
The idea of using "science" equipment in the kitchen is a byproduct of the modernist cuisine movement, famously nurtured by Ferran Adria of the restaurant El Bulli in Spain. A centrifuge would be the optimal piece of equipment for separation and clarification, though there are other techniques that can be applied in home kitchens...admittedly slower, but which work fairly well. High quality, high capacity, bench top, refrigerated centrifuges can cost several thousand dollars. On the other hand, small, kitchen counter models can also be had for under $200 (see Amazon.com). What you get for that price is much less capacity, no refrigeration, and slower speeds...but you could play. Dave Arnold, inventor, author, cocktail expert, and owner of Booker & Dax bar in NYC has developed and is preparing to release a fairly powerful home centrifuge. If I remember correctly, word is forthcoming this fall/early winter. You could Google him...or follow him on twitter. A word of caution, some have recommissioned used lab centrifuges. You have to be super careful, as these may have been used to spin liquids that could be dangerous if consumed. Again, Arnold has discussed, and maybe even written about how to very carefully clean these reclaimed machines. This link would probably have some helpful info for you.
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What is a centrifuge used for in a kitchen?
A centrifuge saves a cook time: a separation process, such as extracting the oil from a vegetable puree, that might take days under natural gravity finishes in mere minutes at 20,000 g. The results are also much more predictable than those obtained by natural settling.What can you use a centrifuge for at home?
Along with butter, centrifuges can be used to clarify juices, create transparent herb oils, and make nut milks and even ultra-smooth baby foods.What can I do with a centrifuge?
Centrifuges are used in various laboratories to separate fluids, gases, or liquids based on density. In research and clinical laboratories, centrifuges are often used for cell, organelle, virus, protein, and nucleic acid purification.What is a Spinzall?
The Spinzall is a centrifuge, but with a price tag and size developed specifically for the bar and kitchen, compared to the sprawling, costly versions made for laboratory use. The device is the work of Dave Arnold, an industry authority known for adapting laboratory techniques and equipment for use behind the bar.This High-Tech Centrifuge Might Be the Coolest Bar Gadget in Recent Memory — You Can Do This!
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