What types of graters exist (box grater, microplane, rotary) and what are their uses?

Question

Explore the different grater types and find the right one for your kitchen. Learn the specific uses for a box grater, microplane, and rotary grater.

Answer 1

Common types of graters include box graters (versatile for cheese and vegetables), microplanes (ideal for zesting citrus and grating hard cheeses like Parmesan), and rotary graters (efficient for grating large quantities of cheese or nuts). Each type is designed for specific tasks and textures.

Detailed Explanation:

Gratings come in all shapes and sizes, and so do graters! Here's a breakdown of the most common types and their best uses:

1. Box Grater: This is your all-purpose workhorse. It typically has four sides, each with different grating surfaces:
   • Coarse grating: For shredding cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, or vegetables like carrots and zucchini.
   • Medium grating: Similar to coarse, but produces slightly finer shreds.
   • Fine grating: For grating hard cheeses like Parmesan, or for finely shredding vegetables.
   • Slicing: For creating thin slices of vegetables like cucumbers or potatoes.
2. Microplane Grater: This long, narrow grater features very small, sharp blades. It's perfect for:
   • Zesting citrus fruits: The sharp blades easily remove the zest without the bitter pith.
   • Grating hard cheeses: Creates a fine, fluffy texture ideal for topping pasta or salads.
   • Grating spices: Freshly grate nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger for intense flavor.
   • Garlic and ginger: Creates a fine paste, releasing maximum flavor.
3. Rotary Grater: This grater features a rotating drum with grating blades. It's particularly useful for:
   • Grating large quantities of cheese: Efficiently grates hard cheeses like Parmesan or Romano.
   • Grating nuts: Quickly grates nuts for baking or toppings.
   • Can be less messy: The enclosed design helps contain the grated food.

Pro Tip:

To prevent cheese from sticking to your grater, lightly spray it with cooking oil before grating. This makes the process smoother and cleanup easier.