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NFT: Cutting onions without tears

Bill in UT : 2/17/2024 5:28 pm
One of the worst things about cooking is cutting onions. I've tried some of the methods suggested- freezing the onion for 15 minutes, cutting under running water, using a sharp knife, chewing while you cut. I didn't have success with any. But I have found a way that works very well for me. I use a sharp knife, sometimes remember to cut under my exhaust fan, but the main thing is to put on a pair of safety goggles with a tight facial seal. Here's what I've been using.
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Being a swimmer, I use my swimming goggles  
JohnB : 2/17/2024 5:38 pm : link
It works perfectly
I started to wear contact lenses at age 19  
CRinCA : 2/17/2024 5:42 pm : link
Have not been bothered by chopping onions these 40 years since.
Just have your mother in law cut the onions for you..  
DefenseWins : 2/17/2024 5:42 pm : link
..
I'm sure you already know  
Festina Lente : 2/17/2024 5:54 pm : link
But try to avoid cutting into the root. That's the most tear-inducing section.
RE: Being a swimmer, I use my swimming goggles  
Giantsbigblue : 2/17/2024 6:07 pm : link
In comment 16401537 JohnB said:
Quote:
It works perfectly


I 2nd this. Wife takes pics of me doing it to make fun of me!
Speaking of onions  
4xchamps : 2/17/2024 6:32 pm : link
What's the difference between an onion and Kradirus Toney?

You cry when you cut an onion...

baddabing....

.  
Danny Kanell : 2/17/2024 6:37 pm : link
Wet a paper towel and place it next to the onion when you’re cutting it. It works for me everytime. Google it. There is science behind it.
Sharp knife.  
Gmen703 : 2/17/2024 6:54 pm : link
Fast chop.

I can usually get through a couple with no problem.
RE: Sharp knife.  
rnargi : 2/17/2024 7:03 pm : link
In comment 16401570 Gmen703 said:
Quote:
Fast chop.

I can usually get through a couple with no problem.


Jacques Pepin agrees, using an extremely sharp knife
I recommend closing your eyes  
Mattman : 2/17/2024 7:44 pm : link
Thank god for speech to text
I don't usually have any problem cutting onions -  
Del Shofner : 2/17/2024 7:58 pm : link
there's so much pollen and leaf mold etc (natural but still) in the air around here, I think my eyes consider onions a vacation.
RE: Sharp knife.  
upnyg : 2/17/2024 9:06 pm : link
In comment 16401570 Gmen703 said:
Quote:
Fast chop.

I can usually get through a couple with no problem.

Funny, but I think true. We got new, high quality knives...just cut onions tonight, no issues.
I use a sharp knife  
Bill in UT : 2/17/2024 9:50 pm : link
and never cut thru the root, but those "solutions" haven't worked for me. There's a difference when you're cutting up half an onion and when you're cutting up 3 large ones.
Bill...  
BC Eagles94 : 2/17/2024 11:16 pm : link
I have these and they work great. They come in a soft plastic case and I keep them in a drawer in my kitchen. My wife always has a laugh when I wear them but they work great. All the other home remedies were nonsense for me. Cover the eyes, that will work. With all the cooking you do, they'll be worth every penny.
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I know a guy who used to put plastic wrap  
eric2425ny : 2/17/2024 11:22 pm : link
over his eyes at the restaurant he worked at while chopping onions. Said it worked really well. Probably the same air tight effect of goggles. Haven’t tried it myself yet.
Ive cried maybe 3 times in my life when cutting onions..  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/18/2024 12:17 am : link
So I cant empathize. Not sure if its something I do or just my physiology, but onion crying is not a thing for me.

Could 8t be the direction you are cutting in? Would you for some reason be cutting the onion while the inside is face up? Maybe its the accumularion of so many onions like if you are cutting 4-8 of them and the sliced/chopped onions are right near you so there is a greater concentration of the oils in the air.
Could always cheat and get the pre cut ones  
eli4life : 2/18/2024 2:26 am : link
.
RE: Bill...  
Bill in UT : 2/18/2024 8:10 am : link
In comment 16401689 BC Eagles94 said:
Quote:
I have these and they work great. They come in a soft plastic case and I keep them in a drawer in my kitchen. My wife always has a laugh when I wear them but they work great. All the other home remedies were nonsense for me. Cover the eyes, that will work. With all the cooking you do, they'll be worth every penny. Click - ( New Window )


It'll be tough cutting with those gloves on :)
Cut with a piece of bread hanging from your mouth  
RHPeel : 2/18/2024 9:14 am : link
I've heard that as advice. The bread captures some of what makes your eyes tear.
Just to recap:  
Festina Lente : 2/18/2024 11:57 am : link
You need to be A cellophane wrapped ninja with bread in your mouth.

I also recommend 3 pirouettes and an Ave Maria just to be sure.
Don't slice then dice...  
DonQuixote : 2/18/2024 4:51 pm : link
1) Cut the onion in half length-wise. Trim off the outer layer from half #1, and peel the outer layer back to the root.

2) Place the first half on a cutting board flat side down.

3) If you are dicing, cut the onion in half again, this time parallel to the first cut and the surface of the board, ALMOST back to the root, cutting it in half again in the same direction. 4) If you are dicing, slice the onion, again from close to the root toward the tip, more of these slices yields smaller pieces. Done well, everything's is still attached to the root, the inner part is not exposed, and you are not crying. 5) now back to the tip, slice vertically as thinly as you care to back toward the root, et voila...during the entire process you are not exposed to the part of the onion that makes you cry.

If you are slicing rather than dicing, omit steps 2-4.
When you cut an onion, you are breaking cells and  
Bill in UT : 2/18/2024 7:44 pm : link
releasing volitile chemicals that irritate your eyes. IMO, covering your eyes or having a fan strong enough to direct the gas away would be the most effictive remedies. But if something else works for you, stick with it. Thanks for your comments
This ...  
MotownGIANTS : 2/20/2024 2:05 pm : link
https://www.target.com/p/cuisinart-silver-push-chopper/-/A-76341894?sid=1313S
Easy and Simple. - ( New Window )
RE: I use a sharp knife  
rnargi : 2/20/2024 2:12 pm : link
In comment 16401644 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
and never cut thru the root, but those "solutions" haven't worked for me. There's a difference when you're cutting up half an onion and when you're cutting up 3 large ones.


That's when you pull out the Cuisinart! ;>)
place a wooden matchstick between your teeth with the unlit  
gidiefor : Mod : 2/21/2024 5:04 pm : link
match end sticking out and use a sharp knife

no problems


btw, the only problem with a food processor is that you still have to face the chopped onions when you take them out of the processor
RE: place a wooden matchstick between your teeth with the unlit  
rnargi : 2/21/2024 6:25 pm : link
In comment 16404694 gidiefor said:
Quote:
match end sticking out and use a sharp knife

no problems


btw, the only problem with a food processor is that you still have to face the chopped onions when you take them out of the processor


Quick funny story...one of my best friends is a classically trained French chef. He and I have been perfecting a hot pepper jelly recipe for decades. Several years ago, after we spun down a batch of freshly picked habbys, he lifted the top off, stuck his face in, took a big whiff and gassed himself. He hit the floor, gasping, wheezing, and coughing...all the time laughing at himself, too. I nearly pissed myself I was laughing so hard.
RE: This ...  
Bill in UT : 2/21/2024 8:09 pm : link
In comment 16403491 MotownGIANTS said:
Quote:
https://www.target.com/p/cuisinart-silver-push-chopper/-/A-76341894?sid=1313S Easy and Simple. - ( New Window )


Not that it's a bad idea, but I'll get much more uniform pieces hand chopping and not have an extra appliance to clean.
RE: RE: I use a sharp knife  
Bill in UT : 2/21/2024 8:13 pm : link
In comment 16403507 rnargi said:
Quote:
In comment 16401644 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


and never cut thru the root, but those "solutions" haven't worked for me. There's a difference when you're cutting up half an onion and when you're cutting up 3 large ones.



That's when you pull out the Cuisinart! ;>)

I hadn'd thought of using a food processor, usually I don't do more than 1 onion. Not sure if a mandoline would be an answer, either. Of course, both would be just for slicing, not for dicing
RE: RE: RE: I use a sharp knife  
Bill in UT : 2/21/2024 8:15 pm : link
In comment 16404850 Bill in UT said:
Quote:
In comment 16403507 rnargi said:


Quote:


In comment 16401644 Bill in UT said:


Quote:


and never cut thru the root, but those "solutions" haven't worked for me. There's a difference when you're cutting up half an onion and when you're cutting up 3 large ones.



That's when you pull out the Cuisinart! ;>)


I hadn'd thought of using a food processor, usually I don't do more than 1 onion. Not sure if a mandoline would be an answer, either. Of course, both would be just for slicing, not for dicing

Actually, I haven't done it, but I think there may be a mandoline attachment that will dice
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