TL;DR: 5 Reasons Not to Buy Onion Goggles
While onion goggles can prevent tears while chopping onions, they might not be the best option for everyone. They can feel bulky and uncomfortable, are prone to fogging, have limited use beyond chopping onions, and cheaper alternatives are available. Additionally, their appearance isn’t for everyone, making them less appealing for cooks who value aesthetics or minimalism in the kitchen. Instead, consider more versatile and cost-effective solutions to avoid onion tears.
Onion goggles are often promoted as a solution for tear-inducing onion fumes, allowing home cooks to chop, dice, and slice without the discomfort of watery eyes. While they may sound like a kitchen must-have, there are several reasons why they might not be the right choice for everyone.
In this post, we’ll explore five reasons you may want to think twice before purchasing onion goggles.
1. They Can Be Bulky and Uncomfortable
One of the main complaints about onion goggles is that they can feel cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear. Most models are designed to form a tight seal around the eyes to block out fumes, but this can result in a bulky fit that feels unnatural during kitchen tasks. For those with smaller or larger face shapes, finding a comfortable pair can be challenging, and the tightness can lead to discomfort during extended use.
If comfort and ease of movement are high on your list of kitchen priorities, onion goggles may not be the best investment.
2. Fogging Issues Can Obstruct Your Vision
While many onion goggles come with anti-fog lenses, these features are not always foolproof. During lengthy cooking sessions or in humid environments, goggles can still fog up, making it difficult to see clearly. This can slow down your food prep or even become a safety hazard when working with sharp knives.
If you find yourself constantly wiping off fogged lenses, onion goggles may cause more frustration than relief.
3. Limited Use Beyond Onion Chopping
Onion goggles are highly specialized, meaning they don’t offer much value beyond their intended purpose – chopping onions. If you only occasionally cook with onions, you might find that they sit in your kitchen drawer, unused for long stretches of time. Unlike other multipurpose kitchen tools, onion goggles are a single-use item that may not justify their cost.
For many home cooks, investing in versatile tools is a smarter choice than dedicating storage space to something they’ll use infrequently.
4. Cheaper and Better Alternatives Are Available
While onion goggles can be effective at blocking onion fumes, there are far more affordable (and more effective) alternatives out there. Common solutions like placing The Happy Onion near your chopping station, chilling the onion before slicing, or using a sharp knife to minimize cell damage are just a few examples of how you can avoid tears without spending extra money on goggles.
If you prefer DIY kitchen hacks or budget-friendly solutions, onion goggles might feel like an unnecessary expense.
5. The Look Isn’t for Everyone
Let's face it – wearing onion goggles doesn’t exactly scream "style." For some home cooks, especially those who value the aesthetic of their kitchen tools, wearing large, sporty goggles while prepping food may feel awkward or look out of place. Whether you’re cooking for guests or simply prefer to keep things minimalistic, the appearance of onion goggles might not suit your personal taste.
If you like your kitchen tools sleek and simple, onion goggles may not be worth the trade-off in style.
Closing
While onion goggles do offer a unique solution to the common problem of onion-induced tears, they come with drawbacks that may make them less appealing to some home cooks. From their bulky design to the existence of cheaper alternatives, it’s important to weigh whether the investment aligns with your cooking habits and needs.