what cheese graters do chefs use

Strong ContendersZwilling Z-Cut Tower/Box Grater (Zwilling)Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater (Amazon)Rösle Stainless Steel Medium Grater (Amazon)Zyliss Restaurant Cheese Grater (Amazon)

• Zwilling Z-Cut Tower/Box Grater (Zwilling)
• Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater (Amazon)
• Rösle Stainless Steel Medium Grater (Amazon)
• Zyliss Restaurant Cheese Grater (Amazon)

Test 1: Usability

For the initial tests, I grated/sliced/zested foods of different textures on each side, as I would when prepping any meal. I used carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, baking chocolate, cheddar cheese, and low-moisture mozzarella on the large holes; for the medium holes, I grated carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and cheddar. On the slicer, I tested radish and cucumber. On the zester side, I used lime, ginger, nutmeg, and hard Parmesan cheese. From these tests I was able to discern if items grated easily and uniformly; if they clogged in the holes or released easily; and whether the shavings were roughly the same size and shape.

These tests highlighted which graters were useful no matter which side or function you needed to use, separating them from the ones where the zesting and slicing sides were more like ornamental accessories.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Box Grater

The eight graters we tested ranged in price from $10 to $35 at the time of testing. While we wondered whether their prices would correlate with their performance, our primary concern was how well each one would shred, slice, and grate, and how easily they would accomplish those tasks. Beyond performing well, the ideal box grater should be comfortable to use.

In terms of performance, the uniformity of cuts each grater was able to make was another consideration. This isnt just a question of aesthetics; for example, when it comes to using shredded vegetables in a recipe, such as hash browns, having a consistent shred size ensures even cooking. I also paid particular attention to clogging, which is a big potential drawback. Scraping off pecorino from a zester or reaching inside the grater to pry free stuck-on Cheddar can slow you down and add to the time spent cleaning.

Here are some other things I looked out for during testing: Does the grater slip easily on a work surface or does it stay in place? Is it sturdy or will it break, bend, or dent after a run-in with a block of Parm thats been in your fridge just a little too long? Does it stay sharp after each use or dull easily? How easy is it to clean? Does the grater contain the food it shreds or will I have to embark on a scavenger hunt to find stray bits all over my kitchen? And how easy is it to store? Some graters came with extras—removable parts, container attachments, bonus zesters, and measurement marks. Do they add value?

The Best Kitchen Graters

FAQ

Which graters do chefs use?

What kind of cheese grater does Olive Garden use?

What grater to use for parmesan cheese?

What kitchen equipment should I use to shred cheese?

What can you use a cheese grater for?

You can use them to shred thick chunks of cheddar, grate blocks of Parmesan, zest citrus peels, or shred zucchini for various desserts and baked goods. To help you find the right cheese grater for your needs, we tested a variety of models and chose our favorites based on their efficiency, shred size, construction, and ease of cleaning.

Can I substitute gruyere cheese with cottage cheese?

Gruyere cheese is hard whereas cottage cheese is soft. Depending on what dishes you would like to make. They both have different textures and tastes. In terms of nutrients, cottage cheese has much lower calorie and fat content compared to Gruyere cheese. So, it will be dependent on the use of the substitution.

Which cheese grater is best?

In addition to her cookbook “Big Delicious Life,” she’s written more than 10 novels. Was this page helpful? To find the best cheese graters, we tested more than 20 top-rated box graters, rasp-style graters, and rotary models. Our top picks include cheese graters from KitchenAid, Microplane, Spring Chef, and Zyliss.

What are the different types of cheese graters?

The simplest type of cheese grater is a rasp, with one long, straight surface lined with shredding blades. A rasp-style shredder is flat and compact to store, but most only give you one texture option. A box grater, on the other hand, has different grating surfaces on each of its four sides.