How to stop tearing up when you cut a lot of onions

I’m such a sissy I can tear up just reading the thread. My eyes would water even when someone pulled my hair.

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Having a sharp knife and leaving the root intact definitely work as mentiined by @ScottinPollock above.

Also placing a wet papet towel on your cutting board surface helps.

When I slice into an onion and notice it to have more juice than being on the dryer side then rinsing under cold water helps.

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I was given some as a (gag?) gift and they work amazingly well for me.

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I’ve read advice like not cutting into the root etc… But sometimes I tear up over scallions.

That is because you have a kind heart.

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I’ve had onions inadvertently freeze in the fridge (bad temp control) but they’re pretty difficult to chop up after that - between hard and slippery.

I do think chilling makes a difference - I can weep with a fresh red or yellow, but it’s a lot better out of the fridge.

That’s how I do it.

The check is in the mail. :moneybag: :hugs:

I’ve heard a chef explaining what made us cry is thin very thin transparent film in the onion.

I have the tearing issue with all types of onions and shallots except scallions.
I have some old swim goggles in my junk drawer for this purpose. My issue is I don’t wear contact lenses any more and the goggles don’t fit over my regular glasses.
I almost always leave the root end in and cut the onion in half, peeling only the half I am working on. That’s never helped.
I usually forget to chill my onions ahead of time so can’t comment on my experience with that tactic.
I must try some of the others, e.g. rinse them, wet paper towel, etc. I draw the line at bread slice in mouth, family will cart me off to the loony bin (short trip).

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I started storing the bag of onions in the fridge - otherwise I agree, could never remember to chill them in advance!

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Light a rear burner of your stove. Place a cutting board on the front burner (DO NOT LIGHT IT) and cut your onion on it. The heat somehow draws away the fumes and you can cut onions all day without crying. I swear it works.

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Very sharp knife, very cold onions help tremendously.

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My onions are, as much as possible, 1015s or red, and neither makes me tear. White and regular yellow do. I keep my onions in a basket on the counter. If I tear I just press on. I always try to buy very fresh onions with moist and shiny skin showing.

I tried rinsing the half-cut white/yellow onions yesterday. Didn’t help. Just my experience.

Oh yeah - I forgot this. Someone suggested lighting a candle next to the cutting board, which would burn off the gases before they got to the eyes.

Candle didn’t work for me, maybe I’ll try the burner. Though knowing myself, I’ll set the cutting board on fire :woman_facepalming:t2:

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Knowing me, I’d set my hair on fire.

If you have one, turn the exhaust fan to high and cut near the fan draft.

At least then we will be tearing from fire, not onions

Full disclosure. I do have an old cutting board with scorch marks on the bottom.

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