A food processor will do a very similar job, some food processors even have a grating accessory you can buy. I wouldn't worry about the modest difference in flavour.

depending on how fine you took it in the food processsor, the only difference is the crying.

what 'unlocks the sweetness' in onions is being cut or otherwise mashed very finely so it more or less melts into the food. (the finer it is, the more 'melty' it gets.) it's similar to garlic and other aromatics in that respect; and it doesn't really quite matter how you get there.

I would not suggest huffing the bowl when you're done, though. Unless... you know. I won't judge.

Jamie Oliver does dreadful things to "Thai" curry's.

I use an Indonesian oelekan for curry's. Takes some time but there is nothing better than a mortar and pestle.

A food processor won't give you the authentic taste as an oelekan, but grating an onion is just more Jamie Oliver bs, better use the processor..

I put on some swim goggles when cutting onions

Mandolin? Food processor? Knife?