Wear goggles. You might look silly, but wearing airtight eyewear is 100 percent effective in preventing tears. The gas that irritates your eyes is released by a chemical reaction that occurs when the cells of the onion are broken. Several companies make special “onion goggles,” but any eyepieces that keep air out will work. “For some steampunk flair, try antique motorcycle goggles.”
Chop near an open flame. “If you’ve got a gas stove, fire up one of the burners.” When you do your chopping nearby, the flame will suck in the troublesome gas. A high flame works “shockingly well”; using a low flame “left us misty-eyed.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.