how to stop tears when peeling /slicing onions?

Answer 1

Onions have a compound inside them called propanethial-s-oxide, which is released in vapor form when the onions are cut. When this vapor comes into contact with your eyes, it is converted to a form of sulfuric acid, which produces the stinging sensation and the tearing reaction. A few steps that I take before cutting into onion are:

Placing the whole onions in a freezer for ~10 minutes, or a refrigerator for ~20-30 minutes. If chilling your onions is not possible, cut them under cold running water. This will slow the process of the compound vaporizing.

Make sure your knife is as sharp as possible. Fast, clean cuts will keep more of the compound in the onion and not in the air.

If you've tried these steps and are still being irritated by tears, you could try wearing one of those painter's masks or safety goggles. I've also heard that some white vinegar on the cutting board beforehand will slow down the process.

A story that I've heard at my former Culinary Arts school, from a Chef instructor there, was to have a lit candle near your cutting board, and the flame would draw the vapor towards it and away from you. That'd be interesting to try, though I've never had a reason to.

Answer 2

To avoid crying while peeling or slicing onions, just chill them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Or peel the onions under cold running water. For some people, biting on a piece of bread helps stop the tears.

Answer 3

Dip the peeled onions in water for 5-10 mins and then slice. Also, the lower portion of the onion is the main prob area so keep that portion away from the eyes.

Answer 4

So you are crying over onions instead of the spilt milk huh..lol I have a solution for you. Run your cold water over the onion for several minutes before cutting. This helps alot..you might have to repeat this a few times depending on how much onion you need. Also...try keeping your onions in your veggie bin in the fridge this helps also. After you are done chopping your onion, rub your hands together with your regular table salt then with your hand soap. Salt sometimes eliminates the onion smell. Hope this has helped.

Answer 5

Burn a candle next to the cutting board. It burns the sulphuric compounds that are released when you cut the onion. Also, store your onions in the fridge; most of those compounds become solid instead of being a gas when they are cold and you won't whimper as much cutting up cold onions. The best solution of all, of course, is to use frozen chopped onions :)

Answer 6

Two ways:
1. Peel and slice under running water.
or
2.Keep a metal spoon in your mouth.

Personally, I think the first works better.

Answer 7

In addition to chilling the onion try not to slice the root end first. It works every time for me!

Answer 8

You can peel or slice under water or peel breathing through your mouth not your nose. Breathing through your nose inflames your sinuses causing you to cry when peeling an onion.

Answer 9

put onions in the referator so they are cold, at least 2 hours. Peal ( the time it takes isn't enough time to produce tears ) Chop in food processor or under water. Last resort, get someone else to chop the onions

Answer 10

Actually its the juice in the onion that effects people. Try running them under cold water--fresher onions not as bad. Using a chopper really hlep too.