How do I prevent my eyes from watering when cutting onions?

@pitstop (13051)
India
September 1, 2021 11:27pm CST
I was cutting onions and, as expected, my eyes were watering. What are the little tips and tricks to prevent your eyes from watering when you cut onions?
14 people like this
15 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
2 Sep 21
The most reliable tip is to make sure that the airflow is away from your face. One way of achieving this is to light a candle and place it on the side opposite to where you are chopping. This creates an updraught which draws the onion fumes away from you. Another tip which seems to work, though I can't explain why is to chew some parsley. I wear specs, so I rarely have problems chopping onions.
3 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
2 Sep 21
@LadyDuck , Good idea
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458041)
• Switzerland
2 Sep 21
I place in the refrigerator for at least two hours and it works.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458041)
• Switzerland
2 Sep 21
@marlina It is the only trick that works for me, I tried them all.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458041)
• Switzerland
2 Sep 21
There is only one thing that works. Place the onions in the refrigerators during a couple of hours before cutting.
2 people like this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
Sounds like a definite simple tip
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458041)
• Switzerland
3 Sep 21
@pitstop It works, I discovered this the day I placed half onion in the refrigerator by mistake. When I took it out to cut it, it did not make me cry, when it always happened before.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
2 Sep 21
use a food processor.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
You're not gonna believe it, but i just purchased an electrical vegetables cutter this evening!!
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
5 Sep 21
@Mavic123456 it just got delivered. I'll use it and let you know n
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
4 Sep 21
@pitstop Wowowow...... good so how is it? It is more practical?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 21
I try to keep my head up away from the onions and wash my hands as soon as I finish but it doesn't always work. There are some good tips in the comments.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
5 Sep 21
I guess that would decrease the watering, but may not eliminate it completely.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 21
@pitstop No, it doesn't stop it completely. Did anyone suggest wearing goggles? Some do that but I couldn't be bothered.
@aureliah (24319)
• Kenya
2 Sep 21
I hear people say you can soak them in salt first for a few minutes
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
5 Sep 21
Won't that alter the taste?
1 person likes this
@aureliah (24319)
• Kenya
23 Dec 21
@pitstop No it does not
@Desywe (319)
• Indonesia
2 Sep 21
Just don't against the direction of the air when you cut onions. Cmiiw ??
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
That's an awesome tip. I will just direct the fan I have to blow the air away from me
1 person likes this
@Desywe (319)
• Indonesia
2 Sep 21
@pitstop yeah that's the tip from people around me
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Mar 22
I used to store mine in the fridge before use. If they are kept cold it's easier when chopping on the eyes.
@May2k8 (18078)
• Indonesia
5 Sep 21
Wear swimming goggles so you don't feel pain.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
5 Sep 21
Well fitting and sealed goggles are a great idea.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215405)
• Chile
2 Sep 21
It helps if you do it under water.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
I'll try that the next time. I'll probably make the kitchen very messy if I do that
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
2 Sep 21
Ask someone else to cut for you. I guess dipping it in water for few minutes after peeling it will help.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
That's a common suggestion going by the answers here
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@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
2 Sep 21
You get someone else to cut them up for you... Fill your sink halfway with water and slice as much as you can while the onions are underwater. That keeps the juice from reaching your eyes. (The root end of the onion is where most of the liquid that stings the eyes is. You can cut the rest of the onion out of water if you remember to cut the root end under water and usually have little or no problem with stinging eyes.)
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
2 Sep 21
Sounds like a plan
1 person likes this
@franxav (13603)
• India
2 Sep 21
Wear spectacles may be.
1 person likes this
@pitstop (13051)
• India
5 Sep 21
I do wear regular spectacles, but there is enough gaps to still make the eyes water.
• India
2 Sep 21
Ask someone else to do for you
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
2 Sep 21
I don't like to cut onions,so thanks to my mom who do it for me.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
2 Sep 21
If you keep the tap running that will help you