Q&A for How to Chop Onions Without Tears

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  • Question
    What type of goggles do I wear?
    Community Answer
    Any goggles that are air tight will work. I tried it with swimming goggles and they work very well.
  • Question
    Will fruits and veggies be affected if I keep onions in the refrigerator?
    Community Answer
    As long as it sealed correctly, it should be OK. Wrap in plastic wrap and seal in an airtight bag or container.
  • Question
    How do you prevent your eyes from watering?
    Community Answer
    Spread a little citrus juice on the cutting surface before you begin cutting and it will neutralize whatever it is that makes your eyes burn from cutting the onions. I worked in the food industry for 10 years.
  • Question
    Would putting a spoon in my mouth work?
    Community Answer
    No, it would not work.
  • Question
    Can l wear my glasses while cutting an onion?
    Community Answer
    You can. It has no affect on the onion.
  • Question
    Can I store an onion as leftovers once I skin it, or does it become toxic to eat?
    Community Answer
    You can store an onion after you peel it for up to 7-10 days. Just put it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
  • Question
    If I keep an onion near a potato or an apple, will the onion odor pass to the other foods?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Other food will gather the scent.
  • Question
    Why do my eyes sting for 1-2 days after cutting onions?
    Community Answer
    It may be because you have onion juice saturating the area you're in, but you may want to see an eye doctor as experiencing eye pain for that long is unusual.
  • Question
    What are some things I can do for the burning afterwards when the enzymes linger?
    Community Answer
    Your eyes will tear up to try to remove the enzymes and burning sensation, but if you want to speed up the process, you can use a simple eye drop or rinse your eyes with tap water.
  • Question
    Why do my eyes hurt when cutting onions?
    Community Answer
    Cutting onions releases an enzyme that reacts with the water in your eyes to turn into an acid. This makes your eyes hurt and water when cutting onions.
  • Question
    What method can I use if I don't have a freezer, candle, or acid?
    Community Answer
    You can stick your tongue out while cutting or turn on the vent above your stove, usually it is attached to your microwave. Wearing tight seal goggles should also work.
  • Question
    My eyes start to react as soon as I cut onions and it won't stop. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Follow the steps in this article. Also, chopping onions near an open flame, like the burner of a gas stove, can eliminate some of the sulfur.
  • Question
    Why do my eyes get more irritated than anyone else's when I'm near cut onions?
    Community Answer
    You may just be more sensitive to the onion's acid.
  • Question
    How do I avoid the smell of vinegar?
    Community Answer
    You can just not use vinegar if you do not like the smell of it.
  • Question
    Will drinking water before chopping onions work if I want to do it without tears?
    Community Answer
    No, it will not work because after cutting onion, the enzyme will release and drinking water makes no difference to that.
  • Question
    Will my eyes sting if I'm outside and cutting an onion?
    Community Answer
    They will sting a lot less, but try putting lemon juice on the cutting board (or even on your gloves).
  • Question
    How do you stop onions from burning your eyes?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Try using a very sharp knife to reduce the amount of enzymes that burn your eyes from being released. You could also cut the onion underwater so your eyes aren't exposed to the enzymes.
  • Question
    What do you put in your mouth when cutting onions?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You can stick a piece of bread in your mouth and chew it slowly, or chew on a piece of gum to prevent tears by forcing you to breathe through your mouth.
  • Question
    Do onions make you cry?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Cutting onions releases enzymes into the air that can cause your eyes to water, which gives the effect and appearance of crying.
  • Question
    Does chewing gum help or sucking on ice help when chopping onions?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it helps keep the mouth busy and also makes you breathe through your mouth. Chewing gum is especially good because it makes saliva, which absorbs the gases from the onion and doesn’t let it get to the eye.
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