What is the secret to chopping onions? I cant manage without tears being shed.?

Answer 1

The secret is in the way you slice the onion.
Don't cut off the end, but slice up the rest. It is the end part that produces tears.

Answer 2

The juice that gets ejected into the air when chopping onions reacts with the moisture in your eyes to form sulphuric acid, hence the tears.

The vapour is absorbed by anything wet, so a wet towel around your neck is one method. A better method is to hold half a lemon in your mouth, cut side outward - this reacts with the vapour and cuts down on the effect quite drastically.

If you want no tears at all, chop them under water in a bowl. It's the only absolutely certain way to stop any vapour escaping.

ps: The swimming goggle suggestion is a great one! Remember, it's not the vapour getting up your nose, so a mask won't help - it's just the eyes.

Answer 3

I read this in a magazine and was so amazed that it actually works.
Put the onion on a slice of bread and cut it on there, the bread must absorb the onion fumes, if u use a big crust its even easier
try it i promise 100% garunteed.
Plus everyone says do it under water but how do you chop an onion thinly under water (knightmare)
happy chopping

Answer 4

First, cold onions right from the fridge cause less tearing. Next, be sure to leave the root area intact throughout your chopping. Once you cut that you are in for it. I have also seen chefs that soak them in milk, for instance if they are making onion rings, so they have to handle the onions for a while. They will do as above, then slice the rings and put them in milk until ready to bread and fry. Just for the fumes, not as part of the breading process, but I imagine it works for both.

Answer 5

Chop Wizard
Since it is the oils in the onions that make you tear up (the stuff that fills the cells) and when you cut it, no matter how you do it, if it isn't in a container, those oils become airborne. The only thing I have found that virtually guarantees you will not get it in your eyes is the chop wizard or one of the generic take offs of it.

Answer 6

Darling,i can't cook without onions or garlig....
my best advise to u is to hold your breath and be quick chopping onions...red onions seem to be heasier to handle..lol
hoppe i'll get some answers here for myself :)

Answer 7

You have to be on the same level as the onion so the fumes dont rise up into your eyes. So either bend your knees or chop up high!

Answer 8

I got told to stick a teaspoon in my mouth while i was chopping onions. I was very sceptical at first but it really worked. Running your hands under cold water also works

Answer 9

Soak in water no more tears as you chop onions.

Answer 10

cool the onion first, either soak it in iced water or keep it in the fridge for a few minutes before chopping them. also, try chopping them away from your face. lol

Answer 11

Volunteer someone else to do it. It really is the only full proof method. I've tried most of them cold onions, bread in the mouth, swimming goggles (Yes, I looked silly) etc.
Volunteers are the way to go.