A cheese grater is one of those essential kitchen utensils that most people can’t live without. Not only is it vital for making a homemade pizza but they are useful for grating vegetables but when done right, they can last a long time and offer a couple of additional features such as a collection box and multiple grating surfaces.
This is only possible when you buy a quality product that does the basics right but is made of durable materials. Many people tend to go for the cheapest option but they are often awkward to use and make a mess on your kitchen surface. To help you upgrade your pizza prep we have created a list of the best cheese graters on the market.
Quick Summary of Best Cheese Graters
Microplane 34006 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater Large
At 10 inches, this gives you plenty of grating surface which keeps you safe from grazes. Many people comment on how sharp the blade surfaces are making the whole process a lot easier so you don’t have to put in barely any effort. You get a quality product of course, but also a lot of value since 4 sides offer different coarseness.
There is a slicing blade, ultra-coarse, ribbon, and fine to choose from so you can grate cheddar, potatoes for hash browns, grate the zest from a lemon or use the ribbon to grate zucchini. The wide handle is one of the most comfortable to hold and because the fine blade handle completely detaches, you can clean the inside of the box with ease. On top of all this, it is made from stainless steel so it is safe to go in the dishwasher.
- 4 sides for different grating options
- Comfortable to hold
- One side detaches so it is easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe
Presto 02910 Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder
A Swiss army knife of a product that can be used on a variety of foods to slice and grate, taking the labor out of the process. You can use one ingredient after another with no need to stop and clean in-between although you might want to slice your vegetables before attaching the grater cone for adding the cheese on top.
It takes a matter of seconds to get through a large block of cheese and you can even aim the grated contents wherever you like. The design is compact enough to store in a kitchen drawer with room to spare and the cones are dishwasher safe making it one of the most convenient cheese graters you will find.
- Easy to use
- No hard labor involved
- Cones are dishwasher safe
- Compact design
KitchenAid Gourmet 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater
The brand KitchenAid should catch your attention whatever type of utensils you are looking at but what impresses is the sharpness of the blades and the detachable storage container. This allows you to avoid spills as it collects the contents and even keeps any extra cheese in the fridge for another meal.
The box itself has markers to show you how much you have grated and ranges from 1/2 cup to 2 cups. The 4 sides give you all the coarseness options you need for grating cheese and there is even a slicer for vegetables. You get a one-year replacement guarantee and because it is made from stainless steel, it is rust-resistant and fine to go in the dishwasher.
- Convenient storage container is detachable
- 4 sides including a slicer
- Easy to clean
- Sharp blades
Microplane 46020 Premium Classic Series Zester Grater
It is hard to find a hard cheese grater that is held in such high regard as this affordable option and it is popular with those who like to use lemon zest in their meals too. The handle is available in a variety of colors so you can tailor it to your tastes or other kitchenware.
The razor-sharp edges are made from 18/8 stainless steel makes it easy to grate a fluffy pile of parmesan over your meal. It also comes with a reusable cover for safe storage and the non-slip rubber feet don’t scratch your plate when you lean on them during grating. The soft handle is comfortable to hold and the whole grater requires less pressure because of the sharpness of the blades, taking the strain out and requiring fewer strokes.
- Available in different colors
- Razor sharp blades
- Includes reusable cover
- Difficult to clean under the edges
Utopia Kitchen Cheese Grater for Kitchen Stainless Steel 6-Sides
This 6-sided cheese grater might look like one of the bad guys from Dr. Who but it offers more options than any other product on our list and is among the best value you can find. It is made from high-quality stainless steel so it has longevity on its side and is easy to clean because it is fine to go in the dishwasher. What you need with such a large unit is a comfortable handle and the rubber is one of the grippiest and easiest to hold.
It is easy to use but because they have tried to accommodate more sides, the grating surfaces can be a little narrow depending on which one you choose and as you might expect from a product so well priced, the blades aren’t as sharp as some of the competition but it is still a good option for those who don’t want to spend a lot, and still get a lot of functionality from their cheese grater.
- Good value
- 6 sides gives you lots of options
- Dishwasher safe
- Not as sharp as other graters
OXO Good Grips Multi Grater
A good option for those who want a cheese grater that is compact and easy to store. Because it folds at the center it can fit into a kitchen drawer without taking up an awkward amount of room and both of the grating surfaces are made from stainless steel, making it dishwasher safe.
The handle is pretty large which makes for a comfortable grip, all you need is a flat surface and you can position it over your meal or collect the grated cheese in a bowl to serve later. The device snaps apart which means you can scrub both sides with ease but the non-slip feet keep it in place so it’s safe to use. A budget option, but one that has enough going for it to make it worth buying.
- Comes apart for easy cleaning
- Large handle for a comfortable grip
- Not as many grating surfaces as other products
Cheese Grater Guide
You need more than sharp blades to get the most out of a cheese grater and because they are difficult to sharpen you want to make sure it is made from quality materials. What you expect from a product depends on your uses and different types of cheese graters are better for using in different situations and for different foods.
What we can all agree on is that a cheese grater should do the basics right but if you want a little more from it, you need to know what to expect from a quality product. This is why we have created the following guide, so you know what a high performing cheese grater should be capable of.
What To Look For In A Cheese Grater
Sharp Blades
It doesn’t matter whether you want a greater coarseness for your cheddar or a slicer on the side for vegetables, all the sides of a cheese grater need to be razor-sharp. If they are on the blunt side, you will find yourself having to put a lot of effort in and spend more time going back and forth.
Some brands are better than others when it comes to giving you sharp blades, make sure the one you choose has this in their armory.
Easy To Clean
This can come in the form of having a detachable side to clean the inside of a box grater or just by being dishwasher safe. Basically, you need a little help when it comes to cleaning because cheese graters are notoriously difficult to clean the small food pieces from.
A product that is made from stainless steel is generally going to be fine to go in the dishwasher and cleans up pretty well.
Comfortable Handle
It doesn’t matter what type of cheese grater you buy, the handle is going to take a lot of the force. To hold it in place, the handle needs to be comfortable to hold and grippy enough so your hand doesn’t slip.
A rubber handle can be good but anything with a little give or softness will also make life easier.
Storage Container
These can be great for collecting the grated contents and some even have indicators to show you how much you have filled. Most of the time they are detachable so not only can you stop it from making a mess, you can store anything you don’t use for next time.
Quality Materials
This is essential for ensuring the longevity of the cheese grater. The better the materials, the sharper the blades and the easier it can be to clean. Most reputable products tend to be made from stainless steel, so looking for this is a good place to start.
Warranty
Not every product is going to come with a warranty but if you are looking to spend a little extra it can be a good idea to check if you can protect your purchase with either a money-back guarantee, or a warranty of sorts.
Different Types of Cheese Graters
Box Cheese Grater
These are one of the most common types and chances are you’ve owned one at some point. the main benefit is that you get more grating options. Most of the time you get 4 sides which includes 3 different coarseness and a slicer but some give you 6. The main compromise with these is that the grating surfaces will be narrower.
Electric
As the name suggests, an electric cheese grater takes the strain out of the grating process and does the hard work for you. All you have to do is load it up with a block of cheddar or the cheese of your choice and hold it directly over the meal or a bowl for serving. Clean up might be a little trickier but most of the time, anything that comes in contact with food can be put into the dishwasher or wiped down.
Handheld
Most of the time a handheld cheese grater will only give you one grating surface so a single option and typically these are the larger hole types that are best for grating hard and soft cheeses.
Zester
These look a bit like a large chisel and the technique isn’t too far removed from the woodworking tool. They are the best types of cheese graters for hard cheese and should have a comfortable handle and a non-slip grip at the bottom to make sure it doesn’t mark the plate.
Different Sides of A Cheese Grater
Each of the following is better for different types of cheeses and foods. Time to know your grater a little better so you can get the most out of it.
Large Holes – These are better for hard and soft cheeses but are the most versatile because they are also good for grating vegetables so you can sprinkle a handful of shredded carrot over a salad or prepare shredded potato for homemade hash browns.
Medium Holes – The medium holes can be used for the above foods to create smaller pieces, there isn’t a lot of difference in what this side can do.
Small Holes – The smaller holes of a cheese grater are best for hard cheeses. A lot of people prefer to buy a zester grater for this but multi-sided cheese graters give you a bit of everything.
Pinholes – The minuscule holes are often neglected by people who aren’t sure what to use them for but they can be effective at grating chocolate or garlic. The downside is that they are difficult to clean and even after going through a cycle in the dishwasher, you can find small pieces in and around the tiny holes.
Slicer – Again, not everyone uses this side but it can be perfect for slicing vegetables for a salad or any meal that suits.