Cutting onions can cause tears due to the release of a volatile compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide when the onion cells are damaged. Various methods have been devised to minimize or prevent tears when cutting onions. Here's a comprehensive list of these methods and a humerous commentary about how none of them work except for one. - Spoiler alert - None of them work 100% except for number 16:
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Chilling the Onion: Place the onion in the refrigerator or freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting. The cold temperature can slow down the release of the irritating compounds. - The onion is not cold enough prevent the chemical reaction from taking place. A fridge that can cool somethign in 15 minutes is a keeper!
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Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife causes less damage to the onion's cell walls, reducing the amount of irritating compounds released. - Nobody cuts with a knife sharp enough to not cause damage to the onion cells.
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Cutting Under Running Water: Cutting the onion under a stream of running water can help wash away the irritants before they reach your eyes. - The diced onion pieces escape everywhere.
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Chop Underwater: Submerge the onion in a bowl of water while cutting it. This method can prevent the irritants from reaching your eyes, but you cannot chop properly and have little onion pieces floating everywhere.
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Wear Goggles: Specialized onion-cutting goggles or even regular swimming goggles can create a barrier between your eyes and the irritants, but the gas goes through your nose, crosses the nasolacrimal duct and into your eyes. You now have goggles full of tears.
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Light a Candle: Some people believe that lighting a candle near the cutting board can help burn off the irritants before they reach your eyes. - Candles are great for light and setting the mood but they certainly don't attract gasses. This is not the movies people!
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Chew Gum: Chewing gum while cutting onions may help reduce tears by encouraging breathing through the mouth rather than the nose, which can decrease the amount of irritants inhaled. - The fumes reach the eyes where they wreak havoc on your mucous membranes and tear ducts.
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Use a Ventilation Fan: Position a fan near your cutting area to blow the irritant compounds away from your face. - Great concept but the size limitations in our kitchens makes it inconvenient.
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Wet a Paper Towel: Dampen a paper towel and place it on the cutting board to help absorb the irritants. Paper towel cannot absorb something that is rising. It defies the laws of physics.
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Use a Bread Slice: Placing a piece of bread in your mouth, with the crust sticking out, is thought to absorb some of the irritants before they reach your eyes. - Soggy bread, and crying eyes and how do you see what you are doing?
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Cutting Onions Underwater Surface: Submerging the cutting board and the onion under a shallow layer of water while cutting may help prevent the release of irritants into the air. A round onion difficult enough to cut now add water and you have a slip and slide.
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Freeze the Onion Before Cutting: Some people recommend freezing the onion for about 30 minutes before cutting to reduce the amount of irritants released. - How do you cut a frozen onion? You don't because you can't it is solid! No onion tears because nothing is chopped.
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Microwave the Onion: Briefly microwaving the whole onion before cutting can help break down the enzymes responsible for the release of irritants. - It seems unsafe!
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Use Onion Goggles: Specialized goggles designed for cutting onions are available in the market to shield your eyes from irritants. - This is a repeat, and they dont work because the tear producing onion gas takes an alternative route to your eyes via the nasolacrimal duct!.
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Cut Onions Near Steam: Steam from a boiling kettle or pot can help counteract the irritants released by onions. - It also seems unsafe to be cutting around steam.
- The Laughing Onion: The Laughing Onion is the first-ever solution to completely prevent tears while chopping, slicing, or cutting onions. Its cutting-edge technology absorbs tear-inducing onion gas, ensuring that your eyes remain dry and happy throughout your chopping experience.
Visit our website and discover the magic of tear-free chopping and produce preservation. It's time to cook with a smile, and the Laughing Onion is here to make it happen.