Whether they are single planed cheese graters, a fancy electric grater, or a traditional box grater, grating tools are invaluable items for preparing food in commercial and home kitchens alike. Amazon.com, and similar sites, offer a huge variety of different graters specialized for grating cheese of different textures, tough fruits and vegetables, spices, and even chocolate.
Finding the best grating tool to fit your kitchen and food preparation needs requires a fair amount of research to prevent disappointment down the road. That is why we have spent considerable time testing different options to help you find the grater best for you.
Looking through listings of different boxed graters, flat graters, Microplanes, and also zesters can quickly become overwhelming. How can you find the best model for you and the food you wish to prepare from the different options available?
View The Best Grater Below
1. Microplane 46201 Premium Made in USA Zester Grater
The Microplane 43201 is perfect for use as a fine grater or a zester. The blades are constructed from surgical grade stainless steel to hold up to a lot of use without dulling. Also, it’s dishwasher safe and comes with a cover to protect your zester from contact with other utensils or the sides of drawers, which could prematurely dull the blades.
The ergonomic handle fits comfortably and securely in your hand, and it comes in a variety of color options. Plus, the end of the Microplane is padded with the same material to prevent it from scratching your countertop.
Pros:
+ Available in a wide range of colors
+ Surgical grade stainless steel blades
+ Ergonomic handle
+ Dishwasher safe
Why We Like It – A Microplane is essential for zesting citrus or finely grating spices and cheeses, and the Microplane 46201’s soft-grip handle and end pieces mean you can use this one without the worry of scratching your cookware or counters.
2. Cuisinart Boxed Grater
If you are looking for the best box graters out there, the Cuisinart CTG-00-BG Boxed Grater is an option you need to check out. They took a traditional box grater design and made a couple of tweaks for a big improvement. The comfortable handle and non-skid bottom prevent accidental slips, which make it easy to use. Also, the slicing side has three blades, meaning you can slice vegetables three times faster than with many other graters.
The grater is made of stainless steel and is safe to run through the dishwasher. It’s as easy to clean as it is to use.
Pros:
+ Stainless steel blades
+ Non-slip base
+ Secure grip handle
+ Safe for the dishwasher
Why We Like It – Cuisinart took the traditional box grater and upgraded it by adding a non-skid bottom to keep the grater in place and extra slicing blades, so you can get three slices from a single pass.
3. ALLTOP Graters
This set of cheese graters are one of the best options for those who want a variety of different graters at hand without the bulk of traditional box graters. The set of three comes with a coarse grater, medium shredding grater, and a fine or zesting grater. Each grater’s blades are made from steel, which is stainless, and the handle grips are made from BPA free materials.
They are perfect from grating soft or hard cheese, coarse grating vegetables for salads or hash browns, shredding vegetables for coleslaw, or zesting citrus.
They are safe to clean in the dishwasher, and they come with holes in the handles for hanging storage.
Pros:
+ Steel blades, stainless
+ Three grater set
+ Secure grip handle
+ Wash via a dishwasher
Why We Like It – If you want the functionality of a box grater without the bulk, the ALLTOP Hand-held Graters set may be the best cheese graters for you.
4. Spring Chef Professional Box Grater
Spring Chef’s Professional Box Grater is an excellent solution for faster, easier, and uniform grating and shredding results. This grater’s larger grating surface means you can grate, shred, slice, or zest more food in less time. Since it is safe for the dishwasher, it’s faster and easier to clean than many food processors.
The boxed grater has sides made from steel sharpened to a razor’s edge. It has a wide handle with generous knuckle clearance to give you a firm grip, and the non-slip bottom keeps it firmly in place while protecting your work surface. Plus, its larger size and rubber bottom mean grated food is contained, making for less cleanup and wasted food.
Pros:
+ Sharp steel blades, stainless
+ Non-slip bottom
+ Secure grip handle
+ Wash via a dishwasher
Why We Like It – This is the best box grater for those with larger kitchens. Its wider size means you can grate more food faster and easier.
5. Deiss PRO Citrus Zester & Cheese Grater
This slimline tool is a grater best used for creating finely grated curls of spices, fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. The Deiss PRO Citrus Zester and Cheese Grater is similar to a Microplane, but the sides are smooth to prevent accidental nicks. Additionally, the grating surface is curved for added strength to stand up to the force needed for hard cheeses, spices, and vegetables.
The comfortable handle is made from a slip-resistant material for ideal control. It is made of steel for durability. Plus, said steel is stainless, meaning it can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning without danger of rusting.
Pros:
+ Sharp steel blades, stainless
+ Curved for added strength
+ Non-slip handle
+ Wash via a dishwasher
Why We Like It – The Deiss PRO Citrus Zester and Cheese Grater is ideal for those who want a way to achieve ultra-fine grating for even the hardest items.
6. OXO Good Grips Etched Two-Fold Grater
As versatile as even the best box grater may be, they are bulky to store and can lead to accidental injury if stored where visibility is poor. OXO Good Grips is taking steps to solve these problems with their etched two-fold grater. Use these grating and shredding blades, constructed from steel for durability, together with a board, or separately over a bowl.
Clean in the dishwasher, and then store them away with their own snap-on covers to keep the etched blades as sharp as possible while protecting your hands and other utensils in the process.
Pros:
+ Etched steel blades, stainless
+ Snap-on storage covers
+ Non-slip handle and feet
+ Wash via a dishwasher
Why We Like It – If you only ever use the grating and shredding sides of a boxed grater and need to save space in your kitchen, OXO Good Grips’ Etched Two-Fold Grater may be the best grater for you.
7. NSpring Pro Zester Grater
This grater is dedicated to fine grating and zesting. The blade is made from food-grade steel that is stainless to be safe for the dishwasher. Or, it’s just as easy to clean with the included cleaning brush and running water. Also, it comes with a protective cover to prevent accidents and to help keep the grater blade as sharp as possible for as long as possible.
It’s a nice sized grater and comes equipped with a comfortable, sure-grip handle and non-skid stopper to keep it steady as you work. Also, it comes with a money-back guarantee.
Pros:
+ Food-grade steel blades, stainless
+ Comes with a cleaning brush
+ Non-slip handle and stopper
+ Safe for the dishwasher
Why We Like It – The NSpring Pro Zester Grater is a fine grater best suited to those who love getting the best from their citrus, firm to hard spices, and delicate ribbons of cheese.
8. K Basix Cheese Grater & Shredder
If box graters are too bulky for your liking, and you simply need a way to shred even hard fruits, cheese, and vegetables reliably, this may be one of the best graters for you. The K Basix Cheese Grater and Shredder is a medium-sized, handheld grater ideal for shredding firm root vegetables while also working beautifully for a cheese grater.
The blade is steel, stainless to be rustproof, and highly durable. The grating blade is reinforced for added strength. The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in your hand and gives you a steady hold on the grater during use.
Pros:
+ Heavy-duty reinforced cutting surface
+ Rustproof
+ Ergonomic design
+ Backed by a life-time warranty
Why We Like It – The K Basix Cheese Grater is a medium textured grater ideal for petite kitchens or those who are unconcerned with having a wide variety of different grater sizes on hand.
9. Prep Solutions by Progressive 2-Way Grate & Measure
The best kitchen solutions simplify tasks as much as possible, which is one reason why this grater makes the list of best box graters. This model comes with an interlocking measuring container, so you can measure the ingredients as you prep, thus cutting out a step. It has a coarse grater on one side and a medium grater on the other. Also, both sides have non-slip feet to grip onto your counter. This keeps the blades away from the surface at the same time.
The cheese grater may be used either lying flat or standing up. The measuring tray stores inside the grater, and cleaning up is as simple as putting it in the dishwasher.
Pros:
+ Includes 2 cup capacity interlocking measure
+ Rustproof
+ Ergonomic design
+ Cleans in the dishwasher
Why We Like It – Prep Solutions by Progressive’s 2-Way Grate and Measure offers coarse grating and shredding directly into an interlocking measuring container, so you only grate as much as you need.
10. Utopia Kitchen Cheese Grater
Here is a box grater with not four but six sides to offer you more options for simple and easy food prep in your kitchen. The blades are made from 430 gauge steel to hold up to frequent use. It is rustproof and may be cleaned in the dishwasher for ease of use.
It has a good-sized rubber handle and rubber footing to give you a secure grip and skid-proof experience using the grater. It works just as well with tough root vegetables, cabbage, or as a cheese grater.
Pros:
+ 6 sided for a greater variety of cuts
+ Rustproof steel construction
+ Rubber handle and base to keep it steady in use
+ Dishwasher cleaning
Why We Like It – With six different cutting planes, the Utopia Kitchen Cheese Grater is ideal for those who want the greatest variety of grating, slicing, and shredding options in box graters.
Grater Buyer’s Guide
What is the best Microplane grater?
A Microplane grater is just a fancy name for a zester isn’t it? Well, yes and no. A Microplane and the zesting side of a grater handle many of the same tasks, but they do them in different ways. A zester will produce slightly more course results and tends to be a bit more durable, especially when grating tough foods. Microplanes reduce items to a finer texture while being easier on your hands, but they can wear out quicker than their boxy cousins.
Also, technically speaking, the term Microplane is a registered trademark under Grace Manufacturing Inc., so not all similar blades are Microplanes.
There are a few different things to consider when looking at a Microplane. Which features will make any option the best one for you and your family will differ based on your individual needs.
First, consider the sharpness and durability of the item. Microplanes are rarely if ever able to be sharpened, so you will want to start with one with razor-sharp edges and made from a material designed to hold that edge for as long as possible. Microplanes constructed from stainless steel tend to hold up better than those made from other materials, and ones that have been honed will be the sharpest.
Additionally, Microplanes constructed from steel, especially stainless, tend to hold up better to heavy use without warping, bending, or breaking. Those which come with protective covers will also hold their edge for longer than those which are not covered. This is because the covers prevent them from rubbing against the inner surfaces of drawers or other utensils, which can dull the blade.
Next, consider how easy it will be to clean. Microplanes, just like any other zester or grater, can be difficult if not downright dangerous to clean, especially by hand. Consider whether you have the skill, determination, and time to hand-clean a Microplane, which often entails meticulously scrubbing each tiny opening. If not, make sure you find a dishwasher safe option to save you time, hassle, and a multitude of small cuts.
Most Microplanes are held over a dish with one hand, so the handle shape and type are also a primary consideration. You want one which will be comfortable and easy to grasp for the control needed for precise and effective use.
Finally, consider the size of the Microplane that will suit you and your kitchen the best. While the majority of them are slender, models are available in short and long lengths, so make sure you have a place suitable to store whichever one you choose.
What makes one grater better than another?
Durability and how easy it is to keep clean are two major factors in determining the quality of any kitchen tool. After that, the time and effort saved for food preparation is also a large factor. When it comes to items like graters, safety, and the amount of storage space required are important variables to keep in mind also.
When people speak about graters, box graters are usually one of the first images to come to mind. Just about all of us grew up in households where the standard method of grating cheese, or any other food, was through the use of a box grater. Although the traditional box grater is still a kitchen staple, today’s box graters make use of new blade types and design tweaks to improve its use and durability.
There are several excellent box graters listed above; however, the Cuisipro Surface Glide Technology 4-Sided Boxed Grater is another one, available through Amazon.com, that nearly made the list. The Cuisipro Surface Glide Technology Grater is one of these new graters that employs innovations to improve on earlier models. Specifically, the surface glide technology employed in the design helps the food slide more easily over the blades. This surface glide technology makes it faster and easier to grate more food, which makes it a more appealing option for many kitchens.
Yet, while they offer four different blade types to handle four different kinds of jobs, box graters are bulky. They take up a great deal of space in a kitchen, and they also rarely offer protective covers as some single plane cheese graters do. This means a box grater’s blades are uncovered in storage, which can lead to them being bumped into cabinets or dishes in storage and dulling the blades. It also means there is a higher chance of accidental injury should someone brush against it when reaching blindly into a cabinet. These are all reasons some prefer single plane graters.
If you look through the listings on Amazon.com or other large retail sites, you will likely find a plethora of different single plane cheese graters. They are offered in a broad array of sizes and types. You can find individual coarse graters, medium shredders, zesters, and Microplanes. Some are relatively long to grate as much cheese, chocolate, or other foods as possible in one swipe. Others are smaller and designed to hold up to heavy use while taking up as little space as possible.
Some of these single plane cheese graters have smooth or reinforced sides. Some of them require hand washing. Some can be tossed in the dishwasher. Some come with protective covers to prevent blade dulling and accidents when rummaging through utensil drawers, and others do not. They are available with thin handles or with larger, ergonomic handles with slip-proof padding to stand up to grating even the hardest cheese without sliding or shifting.
Still, other models use features such as a rotary blade and a press arm to keep your fingers away from the blades altogether. Also, some top of the line models use an electric motor to shred cheese or other firm or sticky food with little time or effort on your part aside from cleaning. However, for this list, we decided to stick to the more conventional and versatile grater options.
For what are the four sides of a grater used?
A box grater is perhaps one of the most underutilized tools present in most kitchens because so many simply do not know how to make use of all four sides. This is an absolute shame. That’s why we plan to explain all four sides and how they can help in the kitchen!
Let’s start with the side that has one to three large openings. This often-overlooked side acts much like a mandolin slicer. Through using it, you can quickly, easily, and evenly slice vegetables into thin slivers for eating raw, roasting, baking, or frying into crispy vegetable chips. This side of a grater gives you the ability to create one to three slices with a single pass, where you will only ever get one with a mandolin. It’s both faster and much easier to achieve uniform results with a grater or mandolin than it is by hand.
Next is the side which receives the most use in home kitchens: the side with the large holes. This is the side where the tool receives its name. This grater side is used to coarsely grate butter, cheese, or vegetables. The similar side with smaller openings is typically used to shred cheese or vegetables.
Grated vegetables are best used for salads, hash browns, or savory vegetable pancakes. Shredded vegetables are usually used in coleslaw, dumplings, or as toppings for tacos or sandwiches.
Finally, the last side is used for ultra-fine grating or zesting. This side appears as if it has a bunch of tiny holes punched into it. The openings are delicate enough to release the aromatic and flavor-packed essential oils in citrus zests without catching the bitter pith underneath. It’s also strong enough to grate hard cheese such as Parmesan finely. It can reduce cinnamon sticks and nutmeg to flavorful and aromatic powder for fresh cooking, and lovers of Italian food will enjoy how it can turn fresh garlic cloves into a garlic paste.
However, the zesting side can be one of the rougher ones for your fingers to get caught on, so use caution and a light hand.
Which side of a grater is the zester?
As stated in the section above, the side of a grater with the smallest openings is a zester. These openings may have a rough star-like appearance to them.
This side is ideal for working with items full of volatile organic compounds. These compounds are made up of molecules that readily interact with oxygen. This means they can break down quickly, losing their scent and flavor in the process. So they are most potent when prepared as the dish is cooking. Additionally, the finer they are grated, the more flavor and aroma they can add to the dish.
A zester can be invaluable if you enjoy cooking with citrus zest, fresh garlic, nutmeg, cinnamon, or any number of other spices derived from firm to hard, pungent sources.
What brand of cheese grater does Olive Garden use?
Olive Garden uses the Zyliss Classic Rotary Grater to grate Parmesan cheese in all of their restaurants. While it’s capable of finely shredding any number of spices, root vegetables, and chocolate, this particular grater is most often used with cheese. This is, in part, due to the fact Olive Garden prefers it. But with the rotary blades combined with the arm to keep the block of cheese in place, it excels in finely grating hard cheese types into delicate ribbons.
Key Notes on Researching Graters
Researching cheese graters to find the grater best suited to the food you cook, your kitchen, and your needs can be a larger task than you might expect. Sites like Amazon.com carry hundreds of different graters from simple, single plane graters to massive box graters or rotary models. It can seem like a lot of overkill for something to grate cheese, so it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Key factors to look for in any cheese graters you consider are the material used, sharpness, durability, versatility, size, and how easy it is to use and clean. A box grater usually gives you more options for grating size than a Microplane or single blade graters, but they are also harder to clean and take up more storage space. Single blade graters take up far less storage space, usually rinse clean, and are more likely to come with protective covers.
