Do you like preparing food with cheese as one of the main ingredients? From mozzarella for pizza night to sharp cheddar for quesadillas, there are countless recipes out there that call for grated cheese. But the main issue is that not all cheeses are sold in grated form! A lot of times, cheese blocks will be your only option at the store, or maybe that’s all you have in the fridge. Either way, the best cheese graters can solve this problem for you, and we suggest trying the Microplane Premium Zester Cheese Grater because it’s the best option on our list.
Cheese has become one of those things that can make any dish better right away!
Whether you are making nachos, a lasagna, or a basic cheese sandwich, a cheese will add an element of comfort to your meal. However, shredding the cheese first is critical to ensuring that it melts and blends properly with the rest of your components.
That's exactly where a cheese grater comes in! However, you will want to choose a grater with the proper shape, size, and more!
Types of Cheese Graters You Can Find on the Market
Box cheese graters
It has multiple sides, typically 3-4, each with its own set of blades that define the cheese's final form. The top of the box has a grip that you can use to keep it steady while you work. Just rub the cheese against the grater's blades from the outside to use a box grater. The grated cheese will drop on the cutting board or surface. Several graters have a removable cap at the base that collects the cheese and prevents a mess.
Microplane and washboard graters
It has a smooth, double-sided grating area and is tiny. For varied coarseness, there could be a singular blade or two distinct blades. To push the cheese down the blade, you rub it against the grater. This grater is best used for crushing just over food, but it can also be used over a dish.
Rotary cheese graters
A rotating grater is one of the most common types of graters seen in eateries. It has a little container for putting the cheese in and a lever to flip the box. As the handle revolves, the cheese is pressed against a perforated drum-shaped blade that grinds it. This grater is ideal for grating cheese straight onto food and is small enough to be left on the tabletop during mealtime.
What Are Cheese Graters Used for?
A cheese grater can be used to grate both soft and hard kinds of cheese. A grater can also be used in a variety of different ways in the kitchen.
Chocolate shaving
A cheese grater is a great tool to use when you would like to garnish your beloved dessert with chopped or twisted chocolate.
Nutmeg and horseradish powder
A cheese grater can work swiftly when adding natural seasonings to your delicious meals.
Garlic chopping
If you do not have a garlic press, crush a garlic clove on a cheese grater for an instant garlic chunk.
Vegetable shredding
If you would like to grate carrots for coleslaw, onions, and potatoes for crepes, zucchini for pasta, or other vegetables for your preferred dishes, a cheese grater is often a lot simpler than digging out your food blender.
Butter grating
If you do not have the option of waiting for the butter to soften before using it in your baked products, shredding it before adding it to the remaining items makes it smoother to incorporate.
Choosing a Cheese Grater
Size
Cheese graters come in a wide range of sizes. Although larger graters enable you to grate cheese faster, they are also more challenging to store. Small, portable models can be kept in a cabinet and are generally small enough to keep out on the tabletop during mealtime - if freshly shredded cheese is required.
Consider the fact that grating an entire piece of cheese with a tiny grater will take much longer.
Handles
When shredding cheese, a cheese grater must have an intelligently built handle that fits nicely in your palm.
Choose a type with a rubbery handle and a curved grip so you can maintain a complete hold over the tool while working. Many tower graters, on the other hand, have a silicone ball grip. Many people prefer this to a regular handle since it is more comfortable to hold.
Features that ensure safety
You may want a cheese grater with a slicing guard or block in addition to a non-skid base. The guard is usually composed of rubber and protects your fingertips from being caught between the blades.
Cleaning ease
Washing a cheese grater is a laborious task, so look for one that is as simple to clean. If you do not want to bother about washing cheese out of every small blade, a dishwasher-safe grater is great.
Blades
High-quality blades are required for a cheese grater to be successful. If you get a type with a stainless-steel chopping board, it will probably last a long time. The adaptability of the blade is also a key factor to consider.
Some box or tower graters have numerous sides with different-sized blades, allowing you to grate tough cheeses precisely while grating milder cheeses thickly. If your grater does not have many sides, it might have adjustable blades so you can adjust the fineness or coarseness of your cheese.
Stability
If you go with a box cheese grater, make sure it has adequate stability to prevent it from sliding while you are working. For this purpose, certain box graters contain non-skid rubber feet on the underside of the base. Furthermore, certain Microplane graters are intended to fit over a bowl, allowing you to grate straight into it without fear of skidding.
How Much Do Cheese Graters Cost?
The cost of a cheese grater varies based on the grater's style and size, as well as the substances utilized. You will pay anywhere from $8 to $60 in most circumstances.
Box/tower graters
The price of a little box or tower cheese grater ranges from $8 to $16. The price of a midsize box or tower cheese grater ranges from $16 to $28. The price of a big box or tower cheese grater ranges from $28 to $50.
Microplane
The price of a tiny Microplane cheese grater ranges from $10 to $15. The price of a big Microplane cheese grater ranges from $15 to $30.
Rotary graters
An acrylic
rotary cheese grater can cost anywhere from $8 to $25. A metal rotary cheese grater costs between $25 and $60.
How to Use a Cheese Grater Perfectly?
- Use a basic up-and-down stroke while holding the cheese at a shallow angle towards the grater’s blades for maximum effectiveness.
- If you are having difficulties getting cheese crumbs out of the grater blades, wipe the holes on the chopping area using a clean brush.
- Put your cheese grater in the lowest slot of the dishwasher if you are washing it. Allow water and soap to penetrate the inside area of box or tower graters by keeping them vertical.
