10 Tips for Tear-Free Onion Cutting

Onions make me cry. I love the taste of onions in food, but I hate cutting them or preparing them for cooking. They make my eyes sting with sulfur tears. So you can imagine, I have tried several methods to stop crying while cutting up onions.  Here are some of the tricks that helped me.

1. Leave the roots on while cutting it helps to keep the onion from stinging your eyes as much. I have found that to be true unless an onion is particularly powerful, like they tend to be in the fall.
2. Place the onion you need to cut in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes before you cut it. This works okay, but the cold onion gets my fingers cold.
3. Burning a candle near where you are cutting the onion. This is the method I use most, and it works well.
4. Have the cut part of the onion away from your face, and have a fan on to blow the fumes away.
5. Try wiping your knife with fresh lemon juice before you cut into the onion and use fresh lemon juice after on the surface you cut the onion on to dissipate the smell. I don’t always keep lemons on hand, so haven’t used this method as much.
6. Use a food processor to cut them and contain the fumes. Just be sure to move your face away once you open the lid, and have a fan blowing. I do this when I have multiple onions to cut up.
7. You can also cut an onion under running water, which dissipates the gases, but use caution to make sure you don’t cut yourself in the process. I am not quite good enough at knife cuts to feel I can do this one safely. I actually just try to run the onion under a bit of water after the initial peel and cut-in half before the slicing or dicing.
8. Bite down on a toothpick or unlit match. I was surprised by how much this one helped.
9. Eat bread while chopping onions. I like bread, but would rather not spoil dinner by chowing down on bread while I cook.
10. Wear goggles either swimming goggles or a pair of Onion Goggles from RSVP. I wear glasses normally to see, but these really helped reduce the tears. 

RSVP Pro Onion Goggles SKU: 06-2542-02

What ways do you use to keep from crying while cutting an onion?

NEW from RSVP

RSVP Java Mitt

RSVP makes some very cool and useful tools and gadgets. Take the new Tango Tongs for example. These tongs, available in black, green, blue, orange and red, are not only stylish, but they are very practical. The tips are heat resistant up to 500 degrees F and the hinge is connected by a magnet so you can easily take the tongs apart for easy cleaning. If you love the Tango design you can also pair your tongs with Tango Spatulas. Another great innovation from RSVP is the Java Mitt. Do you sometimes forget to grab one of those paper/cardboard sleeves for your coffee or tea? Or, do you want to reduce the amount of paper you are using? If you answered yes, then the Java Mitt (pictured left) is the perfect tool for you. The Java Mitt is a reusable silicone sleeve with a handle for your coffee and tea cups. It can easily be stored in a purse or in your car and if it gets dirty you can throw the Java Mitt in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The Java Mitt fits almost any sized tumbler-style cup and for only $4.95 you can get one for you and some for your friends. See the Java Mitt, Tango Tongs, and more new gadgets from RSVP HERE

NEW RSVP!

New this week, we've added over 20 new items from RSVP. Known for their ingenuity and clever gadgetry, RSVP seems to always be developing something new and fun. Below is a list of all the most recent innovations from RSVP, available now on ChefTools.com.
The Olivator Olive Stuffer	CookMark Cookbook Markers	7-Piece Measuring Spoon & Caddy Set
Cut n' Chunks	Tango Spatulas (many different colors and styles available)	Mini Shaker w/Lid
Slip-On Pour Spouts	1/2 Gallon Compost Pail	Spice Rack w/Oval Bottles Set

Featured In...

RSVP's Select-A-Peel was featured today in the Cooking Club of America's "food now!" e-newsletter! Here's what they had to say about it:

"If retrieving something from your utensil drawer resembles a game of hide-and-seek, it might be time to consolidate. Because really, who needs three different peelers?

The answer to that one is easy—no one, now that the Select-A-Peel from R.S.V.P. International is on the scene.

This three-in-one tool has a blade to fit whatever your needs. Switch between a regular blade for everyday peeling tasks, a serrated softskin blade for soft or fibrous fruits and veggies, and a julienne blade for cutting strips of produce. All it takes is a turn of the knob on the side of the peeler head.

The peeler also comes equipped with an ergonomic softgrip handle, a built-in "thumbnail" for removing eyes from potatoes and a plastic blade cover for safe storage.

Good things do come in threes."

Click HERE to view the RSVP Select-A-Peel

Follow this LINK to view the e-newsletter