What can I do to prevent my eyes from burning while chopping onions?

Question

Everytime I chop onions my eyes start burning and tears flow. I'm just wondering if there is anything out there to prevent this from happening. I appreciate any input you may provide.

Answer 1

Place the onions in water and then cut them.

Answer 2

Onions have a chemical in them that when the onion is cut ruptures these capulates and release there gases, which in turn mixs with the saline in your eyes and create a mild form of hydrochloric acid causing the burning sensation. Older onions are worse then fresh young onions.
Peel all your onions first before choping then chop all at once. There are lots of wife tales out there to cure the burn but its just science. Wearing goggles is probably your best bet. Split the onions in half and let them sit first for a few minutes before you start to chop. The steam idea might work but that is a lot to go through for one or two onions.
The biggest thing is limit the time you spend cutting, improve your knife skills to get it done fast.

Answer 3

I work as a chef assistant and chop alot of onions. I tried every trick you can imagine but still cried my eyes out. One chef recommended using an extremely sharp knife. He said that works great for him. I on the other hand bought the Vadilla onion chopper (about $20.00) from Walgreens. It is so simple to use and comes with 2 types of blades. One chops small squares and the other chops large squares. The onions fall in the plastic container under the blades and keeps you from tearing up. It was a great investment. I have one for work and one for home. I use it to chop veggies for soups and make salsas etc.

Answer 4

Hold a toothpick or match between your teeth to keep your mouth closed so you don't over inhale the fumes; chop the onion last, chopping any other ingredients before, so you don't have to stand in the "fume space" as long; or a mini fan directed low on your cutting board can blow the fumes away from you; chop on a different countertop/table so you can quickly move away and continue w/ your recipe.

Answer 5

Using a food processor to chop an onion is a lot of cleaning to do....unless I'm chopping over 4 large onions, I just bought a cheap pair of swimmer's goggles from the drug store and keep them handy.........looks goofy, but sure keeps my baby blues from tearing up.......Hope this helps!!!

Christopher

Answer 6

Hi lady....
All u have to do is to keep a candle burning close to where you are cutting ther onions. The candle would burn away the oils that are released when u cut the oinion.
Nxt option is keep the onions soaked in water for at least half n hour before you cut it.

Answer 7

What I usually do is run the two cut halves under running cold water then chop them. keep the cold water running and I go back and rinse my hands off once I start to tear up again. the other thing to do would be to use one of those manual choppers that's covered with holes that make diced cube sized pieces.

Answer 8

you mainly have to cover your eyes or take the onion directly out of the fridge then chop up, but make sure you cut the onion right after you take it out of the fridge since it is still cold.

Answer 9

Turn your eyes away--put onions in teh fridge before cutting--soak onions in cold water before cutting...cut near the stove--preferable a gas flame--that way--the onion vapors will be burned off and won't get into your eyes...cut quickly--take breaks in between cutting--

Answer 10

Steve G has the right idea. You can also light a candle next to where you're chopping. The flame will neutralize the gas that causes your eyes to water.

Answer 11

Cut or chop your onions next to a lit stove