how could one avoid tears while chopping onion ?

Question

i heard a few strange rumors ,but i like to see if anyone out there have a good answer

Answer 1

Onions contain the lacrimator 1-propenyl sulfenic acid, that is they contain a chemical that will react with the eye itself and trigger the lacrimal (tear) ducts near the eyes. The ducts are trying to wash away an acid.

Wear a cheap pair of swim goggles and cut the onions under a vent-a-hood. Prop a small fan near your cutting area and blow the fumes away from you. Running them under water only washes off the outside, but will do nothing for the chemicals inside. A candle can only slow the spread of the airborne chemicals, but your eyes are still exposed.

A food processor will chop them quickly, but then the onions stick to the inside and on the blades, and the fumes will be released when the lid is removed.

I once had to mow a large patch of wild onions in my back yard and wrapped my face with saran wrap, tearing holes for my nose and mouth so that I could breath. Worked great. Contact lenses should be avoided as they can trap the fumes under the lens and exacerbate the problem, plus if the fumes get absorbed by the contacts, and most likely they wiil, then they are ruined.

Bottom line: protect your eyes and cut the onions in a well ventilated area.

Answer 2

I'm wearing glasses, but I still get the tears. Put the onion in the fridge for awhile, does work, but the freshness of the onion might lose. Just chop them up as quickly as possible.

Answer 3

I don't have the patience to cut onions underwater, too messy for me.

Instead, I prepare everything I need for cutting onions and just try to slice the onions quick and efficiently (not so quick that I'm going to cut myself). Then I PROMPTLY dump the diced/sliced onions to where they need to go and rinse the excess off of my knife and cutting board - the tearing starts to dissapate right away. If I leave onion and residue on the cutting board then the tears tend to last much longer. So a quick cleanup is key.

Answer 4

The best way from crying your eyes out is to put your onions in the fridge for a couple of hours before you chop them. It always works for me.

Answer 5

You tear because of the fumes from the onion getting into your nose.
The best I've personally tried is using my dive mask. The moment your nose is sealed, u can chop for hours !!

Answer 6

I heard that if you wear sunglasses or contact lenses it helps a little
putting a toothpick in your mouth
burning a candle next to yourself and the onion
keep your mouth closed
and running the onion under water

Answer 7

I hate onions so I never cut them. I heard burning a candle with disapate the fumes that make you tear up!

Answer 8

I avoid the tears by sitting down while chopping, the fumes go up, and miss me completely

Answer 9

Yes, cutting under running water is what I have heard. I keep the bottoms on after I've peeled the skin, it works for me. Also I have heard that if you eat a slice of white bread...but dont take my word on it, thats just hear say, I have not tried this method so I don't know if it works.

Answer 10

light a candle by the onion when chopping Martha says it works