Many foods benefit from the use of parmesan cheese. Although you may buy processed parmesan cheese that has been shredded or finely grated into a powder, the best way to appreciate parmesan cheese is to use entire chunks that you have grated yourself. 

You’ll need a good grater if you’re planning to grate parmesan cheese.

Cheese graters are sometimes forgotten in the kitchen, but they offer a lot of variety. You can shred huge chunks of Cheddar, large blocks of Parmesan, citrus peels, and even zucchini.

Best Parmesan Cheese Grater

To assist you in selecting the best cheese grater, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheese graters on the market, including a variety of models ranked by efficiency, shred size, construction, and cleaning ease. 

OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater

The Etched Box Grater from OXO boasts a comfortable handle for a secure grip, a measuring cup for catching and measuring ingredients, and a detachable zesting plane for easily zesting citrus fruits.

The four-blade design of this stainless steel box grater means that each equipment size has a different grinding surface. There are medium and coarse graters, a slicer blade, and a separate zester, all of which perform well with various ingredients. This box grater has a lot of uses. The collection tray is a fantastic addition.

Pros

  • Comfortable grip
  • Zester that detaches
  • A measuring cup is included

Cons

  • Storage is more difficult than with other models

OXO Good Grips Multi-Grater

Two stainless steel grating surfaces, a pressure-absorbing, easy-to-grip handle, and non-slip feet come included with the OXO Good Grips Multi-Grater. It can be utilized in various ways, perched over a bowl or fastened over a plate.

I tried it both ways with parmesan cheese, standing up and flat over a bowl, and it worked both ways nicely. Although the plastic didn’t seem to endure indefinitely and the grating surface was smaller than some others, the low price and versatility put this one at the top of the list. When tested with mozzarella, it performed admirably and did not gunk up nearly as much as expected. Soft cheese fans around rejoice.

Pros

  • Surfaces and places for multiple gratings
  • Foldable for convenient storing
  • Handles that absorb pressure

Cons

  • With repeated use, plastic may crack

Cuisinart Boxed Grater

Cuisinart’s budget-friendly alternative gives versatility without the frills. It is ideal for novices because it includes all the necessary elements and grate sizes. This cheese grater has four wide surfaces on each side for fine shredding, coarse shredding, fine grating, and slicing, making it ideal for huge quantities. In addition, it has a durable rubber grip that sets it apart from comparably priced graters. This Cuisinart model will suffice if you’re searching for a conventional box grater.

Pros

  • Excellent for beginners
  • Surface area: large
  • Stainless steel construction

Cons

  • Food can stick to the rubber edge

KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment

This grating attachment is recommended for KitchenAid stand mixers. There are three stainless steel blades included. One for thin slices, another for medium shreds, and another for coarse bits. This cheese grater is perfect for home cooks who need to make large volumes of shredded products.

Despite its higher price, this shredder attachment does most of the work for you. First, you must select one of the three blades, set the speed, and place the food in the provided tube. 

Pros

  • Three sizes of slicer/shredder are available.
  • KitchenAid does the majority of the work
  • Ideal for large amounts 

Cons

  • Warming cheeses with machinery is possible

Zyliss SmoothGlide Dual Grater

The handheld grater from Zyliss is two graters in one. On one side, it has huge shredding holes for coarse grating, while on the other, it has fine holes for zesting and finely grinding things like almonds, chocolate, and ginger. 

Its grater has a wide surface area and acid-etched blades that are sharp and rust-resistant. In addition, the tool contains a rubberized, non-slip handle for easy handling and storage and a protective cover.

Pros

  • There are two grating options available.
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Simple to store

Cons

  • An angled design can be unsettling

Bnunwish Round Mandoline Drum Slicer Rotary Cheese Grater

Even if cheese weren’t involved, this would most likely become your new favorite kitchen utensil. Fruit, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, nuts, chocolate, breadcrumbs, and other foods will benefit from its powerful suction base and three different stainless steel drums for coarse and fine grating and slicing. But, of course, it just so happens that this device is ideal for grating cheese.

Whether you want beautiful parmesan shavings, delicately greatly pecorino, or shredded cheddar for a grilled cheese sandwich, this handy tool is ideal.

This is one of the few manual graters you can rely on for a huge batch of cheese. The attachments are dishwasher safe, but if you prefer to wash in the sink, disassembling and cleaning by hand is simple. 

Pros

  • Using a drum slicer needs less effort
  • Three sizes of slicer/shredder are available
  • Suction cups to the counter for support

Cons

  • Excessive use may cause the plastic body to break

Microplane Rotary Grater

Make family dinners and at-home date nights extra memorable with this Microplane model. It has a traditional elegance and a smooth design, and, most significantly, it can dust your pasta meals with Parmesan flurry.

It may appear to be a sophisticated device, but it is very simple. Place the food in the hopper and twist the handle. It’s not only useful for grating Parmesan, but it’s also useful for garnishing pastries with spices or chocolate. Because the hopper is small, we wouldn’t recommend this grater for huge blocks of cheese or vegetables. The tool disassembles into three pieces, making it easier to clean in the dishwasher. 

Pros

  • Microfine findings are obtained.
  • Simple to use and ideal for spices and chocolate

Cons

  • Large chunks of cheese are not recommended

Utopia Kitchen Good Grips Coarse Grater

This six-sided grater will suffice for any hard cheese occasion. You can vary the shred size to your liking, and the non-slip base means you won’t have to battle with your cheese to grate it.

The non-stick base kept the Grater robust enough to grate a block of parmesan using all four sides, so it’s an excellent option if you’re largely going to use it for low-moisture cheeses.

Pros

  • There are numerous grater/zester/slicer alternatives.
  • Stainless steel structure for durability
  • Rubber handle and base for a secure grip
  • Excellent value

Cons

  • Other solutions require more storage space

Deiss PRO Heavy Duty Cheese Grater

This is one of the best stainless steel cheese graters available. Because it does not rust, it is an excellent complement to your kitchen. In addition, the non-skid handle on the cheese grater ensures a safe and pleasant grip.

The strong teeth on the grater make it ideal for grinding citrus rinds. It also works swiftly and efficiently, saving you time. Its teeth are constructed in such a way that they do not clog. Cleaning the instrument is simple because it can be done under the faucet. This variety can be washed in the dishwasher.

Pros

  • Ergonomic grip
  • Extra-protective snap-fit cover
  • Stainless steel is a durable material
  • Teeth that are easy to clean and effective
  • Saves space in your kitchen and is easy to operate

Cons

  • The large handle may be too large for little hands

The different types of a cheese grater

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Box graters

Box graters are the classic, all-purpose grater, with four sides and often varied blades and shred sizes on each. They feature enormous surface areas for shredding large amounts of cheese and other components.

On the disadvantage, box graters are bulkier and more difficult to store than handheld graters. 

Rotary graters

A grated drum, a small hopper, a clamp to hold food, and a handle for spinning the drum are all included in these cheese graters. It’s ideal for grating hard cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, almonds, and chocolate. What is the purpose of rotary graters? Along with whatever you’re grating, a revolving blade is contained. You must turn the hand crank to slide the grater along the cheese’s surface. The barrel fills with shreds, which you can effortlessly empty into your food. 

Rotary graters come in handy for hard Italian cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino. They’re also great for grating chocolate and cutting nuts.

They are more maneuverable than some of the other designs and pose a lower risk of minor damage. You can also choose from a variety of grate sizes. Unfortunately, they also use up a lot of storage space. 

Many come in two components; if one is lost, the device is rendered useless. Nonetheless, rotary graters with a suction base have an advantage over box graters for ease of use. 

Handheld graters

These are the most basic cheese graters. A single plane with a handle is included. Over a bowl, these are great for shredding tiny amounts of cheese or fruit. They’re ideal for new cooks because they’re inexpensive and only have one shredding size. However, handheld graters may not be ideal if you need numerous shred sizes from one grater.

Electric cheese graters

Electric models are frequently available as attachments for bigger appliances such as stand mixers or food processors. They’re ideal for chopping up large amounts of cheese or fruit.

Zesters

Zesters are portable graters with extremely small holes for precise grating. It’s the perfect grater for zesting citrus fruits and preparing ginger and garlic pastes. They’re easier to use than the pinhole side of a box grater because of their flat, portable form.

How to pick the right cheese grater

Etched vs. stamped

When looking for cheese graters online, you’ll undoubtedly come across the terms “etched” and “stamped” a lot. These phrases pertain to the process of making the blades. Stamped graters have huge, stiff blades that protrude from the grater and pull the cheese away from the block instead of cutting it. On the other hand, Etched graters are created through a chemical process that results in razor blade-like indents on the surface.

Compared to stamped graters, etched graters are sharper and produce finer shreds.

Sharpness

Your grater should be sharp enough to chop through cheese and vegetables easily. However, sharpness is also important when it comes to things like zesting. 

Stability

Another issue to think about is whether or not your Grater is stable. It must be solid and secure whether you use a handheld grater or one on a stand. If you have the space, a more solid grater for larger operations and a quick, easy-to-clean grater for a quick sprinkling of parmesan over pasta and other similar duties may be worthwhile.

Ease of cleaning and storage

Your grater shouldn’t take up too much room in your cabinet. While flatter choices aren’t usually the most convenient to use, they are frequently the most convenient to clean and store. Investing in a model that includes a guard may also be useful so that no accidents occur.

Shredding size

Consider whether you need tiny shredding holes, coarse shredding holes, or both when choosing a parmesan cheese grater. A single shredding hole is seen on most handheld graters.

Electric and box graters, on the other hand, feature many holes. Box graters with wide blades for slicing are also available. Get a grater that can shred in various sizes based on your need.

Comfort

You’ll need a small cheese grater that you’re comfortable operating. Look for a handle that is ergonomically designed. While grating hard cheese, they require a non-skid handle for a firm grip and comfort. You won’t tire your hands with a comfortable grater. As a result, depending on demand, you can shred a huge quantity of cheese without straining your hands.

Brand/manufacturers

If you have a favorite kitchenware brand, chances are they have a great cheese grater alternative. Oxo, KitchenAid, and more brands are included. When it comes to cheese equipment, cheesemongers frequently use Boska, a Dutch manufacturer that produces professional-grade cheeseware.

Conclusion

You’ll need the best parmesan cheese grater to acquire perfectly grated parmesan cheese. With the best grater, you can grate enormous amounts of cheese in a matter of seconds. Whether you need coarse or fine cheese shreds, all the graters mentioned above will deliver the desired results.

Explore all the characteristics before selecting the one that best meets your cheese grating requirements.

Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API