Am I doomed to cry....every single time?

2

Replies

  • Mercenary1914
    Mercenary1914 Posts: 1,087 Member
    I usually have a cry baby chop up my onions.
  • PuggleLover
    PuggleLover Posts: 261 Member
    throw it in the freezer about 10 minutes before you chop, or keep them in your refrigerator. Something with the cold keeps you from tearing up.

    Genius!
  • kayleesays
    kayleesays Posts: 564 Member
    I've never cried around an onion! I never understood. I can peel them without so much as a tear... which is funny, because my nose runs all day by itself.
  • plantgrrl
    plantgrrl Posts: 436 Member
    Refrigerating the onion reduces the release of the volitile chemicals, also, most of them are released by cutting into the root end. Ever since I started leaving the roots intact 'til the very end and keeping the onions in the fridge, I cry very, very little. I don't think I did at all last time come to think of it.
  • ScientistStudy
    ScientistStudy Posts: 249 Member
    I stick my tongue out. Doesn't really work though :laugh:
  • GoldenGirl1979
    GoldenGirl1979 Posts: 716 Member
    i've heard chewing gum works!
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    :laugh:
    Wear swimming goggles.
    A swimming mask is even better because it covers your nose.

    I think I'm gonna try this with the snorkle attached...I wonder if my husband will call for the men in white coats to haul me off to a padded room?

    I've tried all the tricks...I just plan on balling my eyes out when I chop 'em!:sad:
  • torygirl79
    torygirl79 Posts: 307 Member
    Buy pre cut onions ;-). Mind you I very rarely eat onions as I'm not a big fan of them...
  • musicmrse
    musicmrse Posts: 49 Member
    The matchstick works but you have to keep your mouth open (just your teeth closed around it) and you have to put it in before the first cut, or it won't work.
  • harrietlg
    harrietlg Posts: 239
    strangely as a chef I don't have this issue very often. I did last time but I hadn't had this issue for a while before that, i think it might be to do with the way you chop it tbh !
  • Trail_Addict
    Trail_Addict Posts: 1,340 Member
    You need to find onions that are more sensitive to your feelings. :-P

    But seriously, I once heard a chef say to cut them under water. Never tried though.
  • RainRedfield
    RainRedfield Posts: 597 Member
    I'm all for giving it a few minutes in the freezer before cutting as well.

    There are a great many things in this world that inspire tears... I don't need to have onions on that list too
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    In undergrad I had to purchase safety goggles (the kind that seem to suction to your face) for chemistry lab, and now I use those when I chop onions. I haven't had any problems! And my fiance loves to laugh at me when I'm wearing them. (:

    Here's what I'm talking about:
    http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/breakroom-cleaning/safety-and-security/eye-care-protection/product-prod3660366?cm_mmc=Googlepla-_-Office Supplies-_-Breakroom and Cleaning-_-Safety and Security&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=22158175&gclid=CMuo0YKqj7ACFWQ0QgodYiejnw

    LOL! I've never thought of that! I still have mine from chemistry, I'm gonna try this today.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    When I have to peel an onion? :sad: I have tried every single myth, old wives tale, you name it that I have ever heard and still the tears fall down. What are some of the dumbest things you've done to keep the tears at bay while peeling onions?

    Have you tried wearing swimming goggles whilst dealing with onions? It'll stop the thing spraying into your eyes when you cut it.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    basically when you cut an onion sulfur vapors are released in the air and mix with the liquid in your eyes to form sulfuric acid. thats why it burns and you cry.

    Me? I don't cry. EVER. I think it is genetic or something. I have no idea.
  • amplahitko
    amplahitko Posts: 4 Member
    All you have yo do is not breathe through your nose while cutting. Breathe through your mouth and your eyes won't tear up.
  • andrea198721
    andrea198721 Posts: 173 Member
    I have a mini chopper. Whenever I cut things like onion, garlic, bell pepper or anything that that I put it in the mini chopper and I freeze a good bit to use later. I do cry when I smell the onion but at least in the chopper its very quick!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    The trick is to cut the root end out, and with it, the bulb inside
    http://www.gardenwife.com/how-to-cut-onions-without-tears/
  • mollsred06
    mollsred06 Posts: 22 Member
    wear swimming goggles. lol
  • nabooru1017
    nabooru1017 Posts: 10
    -Hold matchstick in mouth (unlit)
    -Chew gum
    -Run to boyfriend with tears in eyes for instant fun
  • hdmamma09
    hdmamma09 Posts: 23 Member
    Put your onion in freezer 20-30 minutes before chopping. See if that helps...
  • juliee274
    juliee274 Posts: 124 Member
    Fridge or freezer, as posted here by several others. Works like a charm.
  • lucyford22
    lucyford22 Posts: 198 Member
    I learned from an Alton Brown cooking show to cut an onion near an open flame. I chop mine next to a burner on my stove. Apparently it oxidizes the chemicals released from the onion...or something along those lines. It works wonders for me.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Purposely stepping on an upturned plug before cutting onions helps. If only because you're already crying when you start cutting. :D
  • lisars135
    lisars135 Posts: 19
    I use the spoon method and it works. You hold a spoon upside down tightly in your mouth with a good amount of pressure. My mom told me this a long time ago and it's always worked for me.
  • megmay2591
    megmay2591 Posts: 621 Member
    My mom bought me a food processor for Christmas and ever since then, it's been tear free! You can find them pretty cheap, I have a black and decker that was about $25.
  • california_peach
    california_peach Posts: 1,809 Member
    Swim goggles do work, but that is kind of a pain. Just try and cut them up faster, just be careful. I can get through a half an onion pretty damn quickly at this point, and my eyes don't start stinging until after I am done.

    I've got some tips for safe onion chopping here, http://tinyurl.com/6vgfb25
  • tramaine81
    tramaine81 Posts: 113 Member
    I wear contacts and it helps. When I would wear one contacts, that eye (without the contact) would tear up.
  • superstankazz
    superstankazz Posts: 193
    Use Vidalia onions. They have more sugar and a lot less sulfur. The sulfur fumes are what burns your eyes. I have never cut into a vidalia that burned my eyes. Hope this helps:)
  • SteffieMark
    SteffieMark Posts: 1,719 Member
    I haven't had this problem in a long time. But, I used to, and cutting it under cold running water cured it. Something about the 'fumes" that make you cry, being washed away before they can reach your eyes.

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