TL;DR: The wet paper towel onion hack, which involves placing a wet paper towel under the onion while chopping to reduce tears, doesn't work. Onion gas, being lighter than air, rises away from the towel and still reaches your eyes. Additionally, the hack can lead to shredded paper towel mixing with the onions, posing a food safety risk. It's also wasteful from an environmental perspective. For a guaranteed tear-free onion-chopping experience, consider using "The Laughing Onion" instead.
Are you tired of shedding tears every time you chop an onion? If so, you might have stumbled upon the wet paper towel onion hack on social media as a potential solution. But does it really work? Let's take a closer look.
Understanding the Wet Paper Towel Onion Hack
Chopping onions can be a tear-inducing experience for many home cooks. The wet paper towel onion hack proposes a simple solution: place a wet paper towel under the onion while slicing to minimize tear production. There is a lot of confusion out there when it comes to the process of using the paper towel onion hack. We found many wrong and quite comical takes on this hack. Some included wraping the onion in a wet paper towel and others included placing a wet paper towel next to the onion. - These are both incorrect.
The Science Behind Onion Tears
Onions contain sulfur compounds that, when cut, release a gas known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This gas irritates the eyes, leading to tears. Proponents of the wet paper towel onion hack believe that the damp paper towel traps the gas, preventing it from reaching the eyes.
Is the Paper Towel Onion Hack A Myth?
While the idea behind the wet paper towel onion hack seems plausible, it fails to consider a crucial factor: the nature of onion gas.
Onion Gas is Lighter Than Air
One key characteristic of syn-propanethial-S-oxide is its tendency to rise. Like a helium balloon escaping into the sky, onion gas floats upward, away from the cutting board and the damp paper towel. It heads straight to your face ready to wreak havoc on your eyes.
The Shredded Paper Towel Mixed with Onions Problem
Each slice of the onion inevitably shreds the paper towel. These paper fibers mix with the cut onion pieces. This raises our concerns about food safety. Nobody wants to end up with paper towel in their favorite onion dishes.
Environmental Impact
Additionally, relying on the wet paper towel onion hack can contribute to environmental waste. Imagine the countless paper towels discarded after each onion-chopping session. It's a wasteful practice that isn't environmentally friendly.
A Better Alternative is The Laughing Onion
If you're truly seeking relief from onion-induced tears, there's a better solution out there. Say goodbye to the wet paper towel onion hack and hello to the Laughing Onion.
Introducing the Laughing Onion
The Laughing Onion is the world's first and only guaranteed way to stop an onion from making you cry. Say goodbye to tears and hello to joy in the kitchen. Click here to learn more and revolutionize your onion-chopping experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the wet paper towel onion hack may seem like a convenient solution, it ultimately falls short of its promise. Onion gas is lighter than air, rendering the paper towel ineffective at trapping it. Moreover, the shredded paper towel poses potential health and environmental risks. Instead, consider exploring alternative methods like the Laughing Onion for a tear-free chopping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wet Paper Towel Onion Hack
Question 1: Does the Wet Paper Towel Onion Cutting Hack Work?
No, cutting an onion on or around a wet paper towel does not trap any of the gases released by onions. You will still experience burning eyes and tears.
Question 2: How to Cut Onions Using the Wet Paper Towel Hack/Method?
The most common method we found was to wet a sheet of paper towel and lay it on the cutting board. This created a new problem for us. Schredded paper towel mixed in with our diced onions.