What's the *secret* to chopping onions W/O crying/dying?

Jill_newimprovedversion

I've watched one Food Network celebrity after another- and never once do I see them wincing like I do
when they're slicing or chopping an onion...........

What's the *secret*???? Someone PLEASE share.
I ♥ onions but I don't like the burning eyes from it- no matter how gently I try to slice 'em, they slay me.

sexikc

hmmm I wonder is they are wearing contacts....like you never know if someone is or not. In my contacts onions dont bother me at all...w/o them...Im buring and crying and tryin to wipe my eyes with paper towels and everything~~ lol

MrsBully4

I wear safety goggles.

Rmfowler1990

I put my cutting board under my microwave and turn the exhaust fan on - this wisps the gasses away before they reach my eyes. I've also heard chewing gum works but I don't normally have gum.

MaryJane_8810002

When I was a kid my dad told me to hold a piece of white bread in my mouth.

Anastacia1119

I chew gum. It works for me. :-)

MzLisa25

put the onion in the freezer for 20 minutes. it doesn't freeze it to a point where it's solid like a rock but does help

Pollywog39

I don't like them...so I don't chop them!

YAY!

crisanderson27

When I was a kid my dad told me to hold a piece of white bread in my mouth.

The reason this works, is because your mouth is closed...which is the real trick. You can breathe through your nose...but in some cases that will still bring tears.

I just breathe a bit shallowly, and make sure my lips are closed. No tears for years now .

ktied

Light a pack of matches on fire, blow them out and set them down in front of you while chopping. No crying, guaranteed

pastryari

There is a way to cut it that doesn't make you cry. I learned it in culinary school and I never cry when cutting onions. I have no clue how to describe it to you over the internet, though...

Edited to add: Found a video describing what I mean. At work, so I don't know what the person is saying but after watching it, that's the technique I was refering to..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6iAAbA_RT0

_Wits_

I stick them in the freezer for about 15 mins before cutting them. Holds the tears off.

dward2011

I believe there is a certain way to cut the onion. But, we just wear goggles when cutting because I can't remember the cutting method.

mandipandi75

Cut the ends of the onion off and then cut it in half and put it in a glass of water for a couple minutes. This will help get rid of the liquid that oozes out when it's freshly cut which is what causes the irritating vapors. It will also help with onions that are too overbearingly strong in flavor.

_Wits_

lol yeah what others said...and I just googled it for S&G's...few more suggestions in there.


My favorite...wearing a snorkel mask.

IronSmasher

Man up/chop faster

_Wits_

When I was a kid my dad told me to hold a piece of white bread in my mouth.

The reason this works, is because your mouth is closed...which is the real trick. You can breathe through your nose...but in some cases that will still bring tears.

I just breathe a bit shallowly, and make sure my lips are closed. No tears for years now .

...wouldn't that just mean to keep your mouth closed? lol

I read the bread trick is cuz the bread absorbs the vapors. =p

crisanderson27

When I was a kid my dad told me to hold a piece of white bread in my mouth.

The reason this works, is because your mouth is closed...which is the real trick. You can breathe through your nose...but in some cases that will still bring tears.

I just breathe a bit shallowly, and make sure my lips are closed. No tears for years now .

...wouldn't that just mean to keep your mouth closed? lol

I read the bread trick is cuz the bread absorbs the vapors. =p

Well, yes goof...that's what I said =p.

GhostPack

Lookup proper onion chopping METHOD. Once you know the correct method/technique, you will be able to cut faster so it isn't an issue. When cutting a ton of onion, it won't matter, and the best thing is to wear goggles and cut onions that are cold.

taunto

I use on average 10-12 onions per week. I in the past 10 years have had tears only maybe 5 times from chopping onions. Either i'm a freak of a nature or its because I store my onions in my fridge (outer skin still intact). I almost always use white onions and I remember mostly crying because of red onions (though not always)

So my tip would be to store the onions in your fridge (keep them in the seperate shopping bag to avoid making a mess)

kennethmgreen

The bread trick works. Also, what looks cooler than standing in the kitchen, holding a knife with a piece of bread hanging out of your mouth? Double win!

EmpressOfJudgment

Do you think gluten free bread will work?

LorinaLynn

It never bothers me... because I don't use onions. I prefer garlic, and buy a huge jar of it pre-minced.

SueGremlin

Take a knife skills class! A sharp knife and a quick purposeful hand at chopping them limits the onion juice in the air.

LuckyLeprechaun

The bread trick works. Also, what looks cooler than standing in the kitchen, holding a knife with a piece of bread hanging out of your mouth? Double win!

I was imagining a bite-sized piece of white bread, being held IN your mouth, and could NOT figure it out..........

ncbecker13

If you hold a match in your mouth, (bite down on it with the end you light facing out), it keeps your eyes from being irritated! DO NOT LIGHT THE MATCH THOUGH!!!

kennethmgreen

The bread trick works. Also, what looks cooler than standing in the kitchen, holding a knife with a piece of bread hanging out of your mouth? Double win!

I was imagining a bite-sized piece of white bread, being held IN your mouth, and could NOT figure it out..........

Nope. Slice of bread. Let it just hang by your chin. You need to look like someone who has forgotten how to eat.

JuneBPrice

I've heard that you can chop them underwater, but I've never chopped onions.

ElizabethRoad

The bread doesn't work for me somehow. I light a match beside the onion before cutting into it.

Or, use one of these:

Bobbi_N

I use only Vidalia or Sweet Peru onions. No tears.

IronmanPanda

Slap chop!