I have a bad problem with onions. As soon as I cut one, I'm crying & sniffing. What do I do to overcome this?

Question

I love cooking. But onions are a big problem for me! As soon as I cut one, I'm crying & sniffing! My eyes sting very badly. I've tried everything-slicing onions into half & putting in cold water for sometime before slicing, putting onions in the freezer before slicing them-to overcome this problem, but nothing seems to work! It's a very painful experience, literally. As onions are an important part of all Indian curries, it has become a problem I have to face everyday. What can I do to reduce the smell of the onions? Please help.

Answer 1

cut it underwater dummy.

Answer 2

first let us know ,why while cutting onions the eyes sting and sniffing happens,it is due to the expose of the pungent smell of onion.so first while u peel the onion ,take the middle hard substance which is on the top of the onion,then put it in the water ,so that the moisture contains in the onion may mix up with normal water and becomes diluted or less concentrated after a while take it out,cut it into pieces without looking at it,engage your eyes in other things,so that the cyclogical thing of watering eyes doesnt comes in mind ,and u get your onions easily cut into pieces without any hurddles.
2.after this also the problem couldnot solve then,better try the onion cutter.

Answer 3

I don't know if there's any scientific "proof" on this or not ~ but I've found, that as much as it seems like it, it's not really the smell of the onion that starts my eyes and nose watering, it's the juice of the onion getting on my skin. I had a "light-bulb" moment one day and bought a box of sterile gloves (doctor's examination gloves ~ they're tight fighing, like a second skin) which I put on before I even pick the onion up to slice it. Since I started doing this ~ haven't shed a tear or had a sniffle in the kitchen. Caused by onions anyway Could, but won't, bore you with the tale of my recent attempt at homemade perogies. . . that was a real kitchen tear jerker. . . Good luck and happy cooking and tear free sauteing!

Answer 4

the best thing
even i had a problem but not of eyes
but cutting too many onions and cutting my fingers cutting them;)
well the best thing is to get a good onion cutter if at all u r in mumbai there arealot of exhibitions going on u'll get a good one there.. there are alot of cutters juz watch it carefully while buuying i have one which is in a box shape one box goes on top of the other u place a half cut onion in btwn n put the other on top n press zup ur onion is cut in small pieces ...

its much easier n much much faster now i can cut 10 onions in 5 mins without crying too....and im sure this is the best way to solve ur probs...

Answer 5

i'm a chef, I even have shrink many onions and the only element that works is a pointy knife because of the fact the gases unfold while shrink, so with a blunt knife they unfold greater. in case you're purely cutting onions then you definately ought to apply a mandolin, or in a kitchen you have a cutting gadget, making use of the two of those will shrink the time you're taking to shrink the onions and could recommend you wont cry, different then that there isnt something

Answer 6

Use a longer knife to cut onions, and at the far end of the knife, insert a medium size potato (raw) . The potato will absorb the pungent fumes of onion, before it reaches you.
For larger quantities, a chopping attachment for your mixie is a good idea.
Happy cooking..

Answer 7

This may sound strange, but I learned this form Martha Stewart and it works!!
Light a candle before you start cutting them and just leave it on the counter by you. I cut onions this way all the time and never have any problems.

Answer 8

Try to put some bread in the mouth and cut the onions. It works for me!

Answer 9

jus..... simple do this..........
after peeling off the skin of the onions .... cut them in running wter for a while .... or jus keep them under the tap.... for say ... 2-3 minutes... If still the problem persists... do itr repetedly... and dont put them in freezer and all.. as the flavour of the onions is lost when kept long cut/uncut

Answer 10

I have this problem as well. I keep my onions in the fridge (they do not get soggy) and this works.
Also, I've seen my cousins cut in the following way:
Wear goggles with some sort of (dish) towel around your face, being held in place by the goggles, so that your nose is also covered.

Answer 11

Its Very Simple put all the un-peeled onions in the sink and just stream cold water over them while peeling them, your eyes will feel much better & no Crying.....be Happy :)