Is there any good tricks to do so that your eyes don't hurt/water while chopping onions?

Answer 1

Onions and eye irritation

As onions are sliced, cells are broken, allowing enzymes called alliinases to break down amino acid sulfoxides and generate sulfenic acids. Sulfenic acids are unstable and spontaneously rearrange into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. The gas diffuses through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it reacts with the water to form a diluted solution of sulfuric acid. This acid irritates the nerve endings in the eye, making them sting. Tear glands produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant.

Supplying ample water to the reaction prevents the gas from reaching the eyes. Eye irritation can, therefore, be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water.

Rinsing the onion and leaving it wet while chopping may also be effective. Another way to avoid irritation is by not cutting off the root of the onion, or by doing it last, as the root of the onion has a higher concentration of enzymes.

Chilling or freezing onions prevents the enzymes from activating, limiting the amount of gas generated.

Using a sharp blade to chop onions will limit the cell damage and the release of enzymes that drive the irritation response.

Having a fire, such as a candle or a burner, will help as the heat and flames will draw in the onion gas, burn it, and then send it up with the rest of the flame exhaust. In the heat, the chemical changes such that it no longer irritates the eyes.

The volume of sulphenic acids released, and the irritation effect, differs among Allium species.

A firm in Toronto, Canada, attempted to utilize this property of onions in the manufacture of a form of tear gas for civilian use. It was marketed in 1991 but was unsuccessful as it had an effective shelf life of only three months

Answer 2

People always comment about how incredible it is that I don't ever have irritated eyes when I'm chopping onions. That's because every time I make a big slice, I quickly run the newly cut part under water, which washes away the acid. It doesn't have to be for very long either. If you're dicing onions you can even throw them in a strainer and give them a quick douse every 10 seconds if you want!

Answer 3

Hold the onion under cold running water while you take off the outer peel. Cut the onion in half and hold both halves under running water for about 10 seconds. Put some water in a bowl and place one half of the onion in the bowl while you begin chopping the other half.

Answer 4

I make a habit of washing my onions after peeling them, and I rarely have a problem with runny eyes.

Not long ago, I had to slice, dice, and julienne 40 pounds of onion and another 15 pounds of green peppers, nary a tear in the bunch. Before I started peeling, I dumped all the onions in a sink and ran cold water over them. And after peeling, I gave them another rinse.

I can't vouch for the chewing gum or bread/cracker trick, I've never tried them.

And it seems to me that the only times I get runny eyes from onion are the times I'm cutting them with a knife that needs sharpening. So try washing the onions, and using the sharpest possible knife.

Doc

Answer 5

I've found wearing contacts actually keeps the onions from making my eyes water. If that's not an option, chop them under cold water.

Answer 6

Freeze the onion 15-20 minutes before you cut it and that should help to prevent you from getting tears in your eyes. Also,you could try wearing swimming goggles while chopping onions,it may sound really strange,but it does work! ;-)

Answer 7

While you are chopping the onions put them under cold water.

Answer 8

You can burn a candle near where you are chopping the onion. Hope it helps.

Answer 9

Cut the onion in half and do cut the ends off.

Answer 10

I think its been proven that if you chew gum while you chop onions your eyes don't water. Hope it's been helpul.
MERRY XMAS!!!