I find that putting onions in the freezer for about 10 minutes before chopping really helps as well.

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There's an easier trick I learned sometime ago, and i too have not had tears in ages. The tip is to not cut the root part. If you make the Cut into the Top Part of the Onion(what puts out the 'stalk') you won't have problems either.

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That's funny! We just posted another set of five tips on keeping yourself from crying while chopping onions at The Kitchn:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/five-tips-on-how-to-cut-onions-without-tears-044486

Old wives' tales debunked!

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The absolute best way I've found to avoid crying when cutting onions is to wear contact lenses. Of course, that only works if you need contacts lenses, but still...

And jeeze--genetically modifying food to avoid a minor inconvenience? What's wrong with our society?

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I second the contacts comment. I got contacts long before I ever cut my first onion, and I never once cried. It wasn't until one day many years later when I happened to have my glasses on while cooking that I started weeping over an onion.

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I have tried holding 2 or 3 matches in my mouth while cutting onions and it usually works. Teh sulphur in the matches neutralizes the onions somehow.

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As someone who peels quite a few shallots at work on a regular basis (and cries and cries...), I can't wait to try this tip out! I'll let you know how it works for me...

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The best thing is a sharp knife. A sharp knife doesn't damage the cells of the onion so the chemical doesn't float to your eyes and nose. The freezer or fridge for a few minutes method also works because the onion chemical is water soluable.

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just cut next to an open flame, like a candle or a gas stove and the fire burns away all of the teary gas. simple

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Cutting onions has been the most difficult part for me just because of the tears. these three tips have worked the best for me:
- cutting the onion under water
- freezing the onion just before cutting
- not cutting the roots

I found this great video on http://www.ifood.tv, which tells you about how to best chop an onion with the root attached so that you wont have tears in your eyes. http://www.ifood.tv/video/chopping_onions_from_lauren_grovemans_kitchen

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Easiest way to not cry? Avoid onions altogether. Bleh, I hate the nasty things - for their horrid taste as much as the fact that they're the bad-cook's go-to item for covering up poor cooking.

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