Onion cutting

[Granfrad]

This is perhaps a glarring sign i am an amature, but i have a rather pressing question. I can not for seem to cut an onion without suffering intense pain in my eyes. to much so in fact that i can't even seem to see as my eyes are buring and watering. what do you recommend to solve this problem of cutting onions. (i don't think time is the answer, cause it has been a problem for several years)

[chef_oz]

I usually hold my breath... Try going to the walk'in if it gets so bad and you can't see your knife. If you deal with them on a daliy basis you should build up a tolerance. They do make non tearing onions, though there a pretty penny! :ciao:

[ExpatC]

Try this, cut the onion in half, put it in cold water and let it rest in the fridge for about a half hour or so. then while it is wet, slice it up. For me, the onion actually has a better flavor in the end product and the weight of the water keeps the stuff that makes your eyes hurt too heavy to fly up and ruin your day. Gravity used to your advantage.

If you then are sauteeing them or whatever, pat them dry before you cook them.

In any case, if you use Red Onion in a salad or raw anywhere, soaking the sliced onion in cold water for a while makes your salad 20% better just for doing that.

[shahar]

Onions irritate your nose not your eyes. that's why you should try and breath through your mouth. In the old days some would put a matchstick between their teeth for that purpose.
Of course you should work in a highly ventilated area when you can. Outside, window open or with a fac. Slice and cut. Don't chop. Chill the onion before hand, refrigerator for example.
Also the there's a higher concentration of the tearing chemicals close to the root. Don't chop that area.
Wash the onion before hand. Use a sharp knife.

[Pete]

The best method, as stated is to chill your onions prior to dicing. Also using proper techinque to dice an onion will be a less tearful experience then just chopping away at it. Onions contain a chemical and an enzyme that are released and mix together when the onion is cut. The more cutting and mashing the more is released. When these two mix they form a sulfur compound that when mixes with the liquid in your tear ducts, form a mild sulfuric acid. That is what causes your eyes to water.

[CrazyTATT]

breathe through the mouth, and have a good sharp knife. Some onions can be worse then others too. Cool onions help a little.

[Chef Kaiser]

Originally Posted by CrazyTATT

breathe through the mouth, and have a good sharp knife. Some onions can be worse then others too. Cool onions help a little.

hi,

often when cutting onions i observe chefs bending over the onion. therefore try to stand straight and try to cut the onion by holding it away form you.

regards

[n00bchef]

The key to cutting an onion is to have a very sharp knife... The duller the blade, the more pressure is put on the onion which *squirts* the juice into the air. A good sharp knife will avoid this.

What I typically do is first cut off the very top and bottom of the onion. (The root bottom and the top). Then, setting the onion on one of the cut sides, I cut it in half. After that, I put the newly cut halves face down and slice the rings.

I don't usually have issues getting teary eyed (except on occasion), and also, do NOT stand directly over the top of the onion.

-Jason

[ekanshsaxena]

now this is the most common problem while cutting onion wht you can do is use a really sharp(i mean REALLY SHARP)knife and then cut onion there is one more thing you can do you can chew chewing gum while cutting onion i will prevent tears or else put a roundel of onion on your ear and you keep cutting

[Andrew563]

I would suggest a sharp knife.

[Pastry Maven]

Seems kinda wierd, but if you whistle while chopping onions, you're blowing the tear-inducing fumes away from your face...just another helpful hint, in addition to the excellent advice already listed...

Cheers,

Micki

[chrose]

Okay I know this will sound totally ridiculous but it has worked for me on many (not all) occasions, it was told to me by a former Chef. Take a piece of very wet paper towel folded up and placed under your upper lip. I know, I know , but what the heck try it sometime!

[chef_oz]

Originally Posted by chrose

Okay I know this will sound totally ridiculous but it has worked for me on many (not all) occasions, it was told to me by a former Chef. Take a piece of very wet paper towel folded up and placed under your upper lip. I know, I know , but what the heck try it sometime!

haha, I gota try this tomorrow :ciao:

[Mikeb]

The sharper your knife is, the less you'll tear up. I've cut up entire sacks (25lb.) of onions without shedding a tear, a razor sharp knife and good cutting technique is key.

[Plongeur]

Chef tells me that one of his previous plongeurs used to wear a scuba diving mask while peeling and chopping onions. Worked well, looked weird.