Graters are essential kitchen tools that save time and add texture to your food. But with so many types available, how do you know which one to use?
This guide explains seven common grater types and their specific uses. You’ll learn which grater works best for each task.
What Is a Grater?
A grater is a kitchen tool with sharp holes or blades. It shreds or grates food into small pieces. Chefs use graters for cheese, vegetables, fruits, spices, and more.
The right grater makes cooking easier and faster. Each type serves a unique purpose.
1. Box Grater
The box grater is the most popular type. It has four sides with different hole sizes.
What It Looks Like:
- Square or rectangular shape
- Metal construction
- Four grating surfaces
- Handle on top
Best Uses:
- Hard cheese like cheddar and parmesan
- Soft cheese like mozzarella
- Vegetables like carrots and zucchini
- Potatoes for hash browns
- Butter for baking
How to Use It: Place the box grater on a cutting board. Hold the handle with one hand. Rub food up and down against the side you need. The large holes create thick shreds. The medium holes make thinner pieces. The small holes produce fine shreds. The slicer side cuts thin slices.
Why Choose It: Box graters are versatile and stable. They handle multiple tasks. Most kitchens have one because it works for many foods.
2. Microplane Grater
The Microplane grater has tiny, razor-sharp teeth. It creates very fine shreds.
What It Looks Like:
- Long, narrow design
- Handle at one end
- Fine teeth across the surface
- Often stainless steel
Best Uses:
- Citrus zest (lemon, lime, orange)
- Hard cheese like parmesan
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh ginger
- Nutmeg and cinnamon sticks
- Chocolate shavings
How to Use It: Hold the handle firmly. Move food across the surface in one direction. Light pressure works best. The fine teeth create delicate shreds that add flavor without chunks.
Why Choose It: Microplanes create the finest texture. They’re perfect for adding flavor without changing food texture. Chefs love them for citrus zest and hard cheese.
3. Flat Grater
The flat grater is a simple, single-surface tool. It lies flat or stands at an angle.
What It Looks Like:
- Rectangular metal sheet
- One grating surface
- Handle or loop at top
- Lightweight design
Best Uses:
- Cheese grating over pasta
- Vegetable prep
- Garlic and ginger
- Chocolate
How to Use It: Place the flat grater over a bowl or plate. Hold the handle and move food downward. It works like one side of a box grater but takes less space.
Why Choose It: Flat graters are easy to store. They clean quickly and work well for simple tasks. They’re great for small kitchens.
4. Rotary Grater
The rotary grater has a hand crank and a drum. You turn the handle to grate food.
What It Looks Like:
- Drum with grating holes
- Hand crank mechanism
- Chamber for food
- Base and handle
Best Uses:
- Hard cheese
- Nuts
- Chocolate
- Hard vegetables
How to Use It: Place food in the chamber. Turn the crank handle. The drum rotates and grates the food. Your fingers stay away from the blades, making it safe.
Why Choose It: Rotary graters are safe and efficient. They work well for people with arthritis or hand pain. The mechanism does most of the work.
5. Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline creates uniform slices and julienne cuts. It’s technically a slicer but often grouped with graters.
What It Looks Like:
- Flat platform with adjustable blade
- Hand guard for safety
- Different blade attachments
- Foldable legs
Best Uses:
- Thin potato slices for chips
- Cucumber slices for salads
- Onion rings
- Julienne vegetables
- Uniform vegetable cuts
How to Use It: Set the thickness level. Place food on the platform. Slide it across the blade using the hand guard. Never use your bare hand. The blade is extremely sharp.
Why Choose It: Mandolines create professional-looking cuts. They save time when you need many uniform slices. They’re essential for certain recipes like gratins.
6. Ginger Grater
A ginger grater has small teeth designed specifically for fresh ginger root.
What It Looks Like:
- Small, round or rectangular
- Ceramic or metal
- Raised teeth pattern
- Often has a moat to catch juice
Best Uses:
- Fresh ginger root
- Garlic cloves
- Wasabi root
- Horseradish
How to Use It: Rub the peeled ginger in a circular motion over the teeth. The grater separates the pulp from the fibers. The juice collects in the moat.
Why Choose It: Ginger graters extract maximum flavor and juice. They separate woody fibers that you don’t want in your dish. They work better than regular graters for ginger.
7. Nutmeg Grater
This tiny grater is designed for whole nutmeg and other hard spices.
What It Looks Like:
- Small, curved design
- Fine grating surface
- Often includes storage compartment
- Fits in your palm
Best Uses:
- Whole nutmeg
- Cinnamon sticks
- Hard spices
How to Use It: Hold the grater in one hand and the nutmeg in the other. Rub the spice across the surface. A little goes a long way.
Why Choose It: Fresh-grated spices taste much better than pre-ground versions. This small grater stores easily and lasts for years.
How to Choose the Right Grater
Consider these factors when picking a grater:
Your Cooking Style: If you cook a lot, invest in multiple types. If you cook occasionally, start with a box grater.
Storage Space: Small kitchens benefit from flat graters or Microplanes. Large kitchens can accommodate box graters and mandolines.
What You Grate Most: Cheese lovers need a box grater or rotary grater. Bakers who use citrus zest need a Microplane. Asian cooking enthusiasts benefit from a ginger grater.
Safety Concerns: Rotary graters keep fingers safe. Always use hand guards with mandolines.
Budget: Box graters and flat graters are affordable. Mandolines and rotary graters cost more but offer convenience.
Grater Care and Safety Tips
Keep your graters working well with proper care:
- Wash graters immediately after use
- Use a brush to remove stuck food
- Dry thoroughly to prevent rust
- Store carefully to protect sharp edges
- Replace graters when blades become dull
- Always grate away from your body
- Use a hand guard when available
- Keep fingers away from blades
Conclusion
Each grater type serves a specific purpose in the kitchen. The box grater handles everyday tasks. The Microplane creates fine shreds for flavor. Flat graters save space. Rotary graters offer safety and efficiency.
Choose graters based on what you cook most often. Start with a box grater and Microplane. Add specialty graters as your cooking skills grow.
The right grater makes food prep faster and easier. It also improves your dishes by creating the perfect texture. Invest in quality graters that will last for years.
Now you know which grater to reach for every time you cook. Your food will taste better and look more professional.