How to stop tearing when cutting Onions ?

Question

onion cutting will make yoiur tears to run out and your eyes irritates. HOW TO PREVENT THIS ?

Answer 1

Run cold water in your sink, and cut the onions next to the sink while the water is running.

Onions have a sulfur compound in them when released and mixed with the moisture in your eyes forms sulfuric acid. The eyes don't like acid and this is why we tear up, to remove the substance.

The running water pulls those fumes away from the eyes.

Answer 2

Irritation to the eyes, which causes tearing, can be a problem when cutting onions. Tearing is caused by the sulfuric compounds contained in the onion, which are released when the onion is cut. Different varieties are more of a problem than others. The higher the level of sulfur content in an onion the more of a problem tearing will be. Dry storage onions have the highest level of sulfur, which makes them cause more of a tearing problem when slicing and chopping. Shown below are some suggestions for solutions to tearing problems.

Chill the onion for at least 30 minutes before cutting. The sulfuric compounds contained in the onion do not react with the air as quickly when they are cold.
Trim off stem end and peel down to the root end. Leave root end on as long as possible because that is where the sulfur is most heavily concentrated. If possible cut, slice or chop the onion as much as possible before removing the root end.
Additional tear saving tips: (Experiment with these tips and see what works best for you!)

Slice under cold running water.
Peel the onion, cut in half and let soak in water for approximately 10 minutes before cutting.
Light one or two candles in the area you are cutting the onion.
Be sure to use a sharp knife to expose less of the sulfur compounds to the air.
Have a fan blowing the fumes away from you.
Place cutting board on the stove top and slice or chop onions with the exhaust fan running.
Use white distilled vinegar to brush down the cutting board before slicing and chopping onions
Try holding your breath while you are cutting the onion.
Keep your mouth closed while you are slicing or chopping onions.
Use a food processor for chopping.
Wear safety or swim goggles. Glasses and contact lenses may also help.

Answer 3

There are many different ways to prevent the tears, I think it's a matter of preference. Some people cut them under water..in the sink or in a bowl. You can also cut them next to a candle or if you have a gas stove, get as close to the flame as possible without scorching yourself. These all work, however, I just buy the small to medium sized white onions and they don't bother me at all.
Have fun experimenting and I'm sure you'll find one that works best for you.

Answer 4

Goggles really tend to get in the way and tend to fog up when you wear them. The true secret to cutting onions is making sure your knife is as sharp as possible. What causes the sulfur to really kick up at you is the knife literally mashing instead of cutting the veggie. The faster and easier you can cut though the onion, the less tears there will be.

Answer 5

Two ways...

1) Put the onion in the freezer for a bit first. (Works for me sometimes.)

2) Breath through your mouth not your nose. (Always works for me when I remember to do it. I have to breath very heavy and exaggerated like I've just run a marathon to remember to keep it up the whole time I am cutting.)

Answer 6

Run onion under cold water after removing outer skin & cut root end up last.

Answer 7

put 3 toothpicks in the onion and sit in water for 15 minutes. then pull the toothoicks out and slice down the middle. then wrap in a paper towel for 5 minutes. then continue cutting.

Answer 8

get a sponge and get it soaked and sit it beside the place were you are cutting the onion it soaks up the onion juices and another tip if your eyes are burning from the onion open the freezer and stick you head near you eyes wont burn then
also breathe through your mouthj and not your nose

Answer 9

IMO try wetting the onion in running tap water before cutting it


or chew some gum while cutting the onion,,,.......try it,it really works

Answer 10

place a big bowl of cold water on the table where cutting the onions. another way is to peal the onions whole then place them in a big bowl of cold water after they soak chop one by one leave the rest in water