What gadgets do you have for chopping onions?

LameWolf

I have something very similar to the Nicer Dicer. I got it because my hands are not strong enough any more to chop onions with a knife; I have to place it on a fairly low surface, put the onion in position and lean down on it with my whole weight. Yes it's a bit of a faff to clean, but it does get the job done.:o

Stephen_Leak

I've seen loads of onion chopping gadgets over the years, some better than others. Some people are just more sensitive to the acid spray they produce than others.

Try this method, which is how kitchen assistants are taught to do it. It keeps the cut faces, from which the acid spray comes, covered, and also gets the job done quickly and safely, so that you "get" the onion before it "gets" you.

HOW TO CHOP AN ONION QUICKLY, SO IT DOESN’T MAKE YOU CRY

See http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/1059/chopping-an-onion

Chop the top off the onion. Cut it in half. Peel it. Discard the brown layers until you are left with the white of the onion. Take one half of the onion and make about 2 or 3 horizontal cuts. Then cut down vertically, holding the onion together as you chop. Turn the onion with the flat end facing the knife and chop downwards with a slicing motion to create a finely chopped onion. Discard the root. Repeat the process on the second half, if required.

champys

Agree with Stephen Leak - the above method is the classic one and if you persist and practice enough, chopping onions will end up being quick and easy. Note however your knife should be really really sharp, and sharpened regularly. Make sure you use fresh, firm onions. I can't think of anything worse than slicing a soft soggy onion with a blunt-ish knife. Also it is true that contact lens wearers have an advantage!

tara747

Thanks Stephen Leak! I too hate chopping onions as they always fall apart halfway through. I'm going to try this technique tomorrow.

recovering_spendaholic

I have a Vidalia chop wizzard which I got off of QVC http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.827319

It is fantastic and so easy to use and clean that I use it nearly every day. It chops onions, carrots, swede, butternut squash and peppers. I am trying to lose weight so chop up peppers, onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber etc and keep it in a tupperware in the fridge. It literally takes me less than a minute to chop everything and then you just rinse it.

foreign_correspondent

I was looking for something for chopping veg for chutney - I fancied a 'nicer dicer' till I saw the reviews on amazon - it seems either they are fakes or the old ones were built a lot better....

Olliebeak

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENIUS-NICER-DICER-AS-SEEN-ON-TV-KITCHEN-CHOPPER_W0QQitemZ220393596033QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Kitchen_Accessories?hash=item33507b6481&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Nicer-Dicer on ebay for £8.50 with free posting. Much cheaper than the £24 you mentioned Ollie!!!
Off to go and purchase one!

Thanks for that link, Bitsy Beans :T. May have to talk nicely to DS1 - he has a Paypal A/c and I don't :rotfl:.

Bitsy_Beans

Olliebeak wrote: »

Thanks for that link, Bitsy Beans :T. May have to talk nicely to DS1 - he has a Paypal A/c and I don't :rotfl:.

I've ordered one. Whether it's genuine or not I don't know. Just read the feedback before you buy.
I'll let you all know if I've wasted my money or not

Olliebeak

From reading the feedback, I got the impression that there wasn't a problem with the Nicer-Dicers - it was some of the other items. Noticeably the LED Headlight for camping/Straight-Edge Laser/CreditCard Multi-tool/ABForce belt/Eye-Lash Curler.

Just had another look - see what you mean - those are under 'neutral feedback' and comments on it being a 'Genius' product and NOT JML hmmm

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

robpw2 wrote: »

a knive ... lol

Me too Rob.
My family have bought me all kinds of gadgets including recently one of those little choppers that look like a baby food processor and cost around £20 and are a total waste of time and money.
I like my knives for everything and would rather spend 20 or 30 quid on a good knife that will last forever than use a gadget.