How do you prevent onion cutting from irritating your eyes ?

Answer 1

put a piece of bread in you mouth , it always works

Answer 2

Huh! Lot of intresting answers here. The bread in the mouth trick is a new one for me. I've never heard that one before.

Someone else also pointed out chilling the onions first. This is the method I use most often. In a bit I'll explain why that works... first let me just say this. Normally when it comes time too chop up the onions I will realize that I've ***forgotten*** too put the durned things in the fridge!

And before I forget would some one please post up the "why the bread in the mouth thing works". I'm intrested now.

OK! Why chilling the onions works!

The part that iritates you is fumes from the onion. More or less a gas (actually a vapor). When you reduce the temperature of the onion prior to chopping it all up you reduce the amount of energy available too that vapor. By doing this you limit its ablility too expand into the room as you agitate it. BUT! You have too work quickly! That onion is heating back up too room temperature and the smaller you make the peices faster it will heat up do too increased surface area too act as a heat transfer site.

Another trick I use too keep the fumes down is too regularly rince the knife and cutting board under cold water.

Um... Yeah!

Answer 3

I would suggest you soak the onion for like 10 minutes or so before cutting them in bowl of water. The water can be luke warm but any temperature water works just fine.

This way you can conserve water whilst still using the water to prevent the onion from irritating your eyes.

Answer 4

Brainiac proved that the best way is to actually hold half a lemon (w/ the open end sticking out) in your mouth....you still get some irritation that way though...something about the lemon neutralizing the effect....cutting onions underwater might prove more efficient but I know a restaurant owner that says that would loose flavor...I would suggest using a pair of goggles w/out air openings for the most practical method of protection...

Answer 5

Cutting under water can result in losing some nutrients and flavor. I have tried many ways and find wearing wrap-around goggles while cutting protects my eyes.
Same kind of goggles you use if you were running a wood saw or doing metal grinding.
Refrigeration also works well.
Then cutting a lemon takes the onion smell from your hands. Works every time.

Answer 6

You can cut the onions under water, as others have suggested. You can also refrigerate the onion before cutting it. I have also heard that putting a slice of bread in your mouth while cutting can help!

Answer 7

Here's a rundown of tips from HowStuffWorks: "Why do onions make you cry?"

Move your head as far away from the onion as you can...

Wear goggles...

Peel and chill the onion in the refrigerator before slicing...

Cook the onion before slicing...

Cut the onion under under water or run the tap over it as you slice...

Hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth to absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes...

Breathe through your mouth instead of your nose...

Answer 8

Peel the onion under running water. It cuts way down on the fumes.

Answer 9

Chop the onions up in a blender or food processor.

The bread in mouth works because it shields the eyes from the onion spray.

Answer 10

In my country, what they were saying is, put a pile of salt right next to the onion 5 mins before you cut it. Sometimes it works.

Answer 11

use a lemon!! cut up a lemon pour the juice on the onion and cut it! I've tried it and it totally worked for me, and when you cook with the onion u dont taste the lemon at all.