Microplane - Gourmet Extra Coarse Grater

When I first got this, I was disappointed because it was smaller than I expected, and I do wish it was a little larger. But after using it, compared to my old department store box grater, it is twice as fast to grate cabbage for slaw, although the grating surface is not as large. Very sharp and easy to clean.

I wanted a small handheld grater for when our box grater was overkill or was dirty.I originally discovered microplane from their zesters and love the brand. The handheld grater this replaces (different brand) was never as sharp or as sturdy, even when new.

This thing shreds like no other! I mean I literally shredded a chunk of skin out of my thumb the first time I used it to shed cheese! ?? Not doing that again. It's the only shredder I use now, though. Just be careful! It's ridiculously sharp!

The Microplane Gourmet Series graters are my absolute favorites. The metal frame means that this grater is a lot sturdier and more rigid than their plastic-handled Home Series versions, which actually are still pretty good but can snap after a few years' of use. But just a hint of caution – the cutting edges of this grater are very sharp! It's easy to shred your thumb the first time you use it, if you're not careful. Otherwise, this is an excellent utensil and highly recommended.

While moving into our home a few years ago, somehow our box grater and one-handled cheese graters were lost. Since then IÂ’ve been dragging out the trusty oldÂ’ Cuisinart food processor when IÂ’ve needed to shred cheeseÂ… which is a quite literally a pain (I have severe DDD) and creates a lot of unnecessary clean up. Because my Microplane grater (which thankfully didnÂ’t become lost in the move) does such a great job zesting citrus and grating fine things, I decided to stick with Microplane, and IÂ’m glad I did!This little grater is amazing! ItÂ’s much more handy and takes up a lot less room than an old fashioned, bulky box grater. With a box grater, you need to have a stable surface so you can grate over a plate or paper towel, but you still have to keep it ... MoreWhile moving into our home a few years ago, somehow our box grater and one-handled cheese graters were lost. Since then IÂ’ve been dragging out the trusty oldÂ’ Cuisinart food processor when IÂ’ve needed to shred cheeseÂ… which is a quite literally a pain (I have severe DDD) and creates a lot of unnecessary clean up. Because my Microplane grater (which thankfully didnÂ’t become lost in the move) does such a great job zesting citrus and grating fine things, I decided to stick with Microplane, and IÂ’m glad I did!This little grater is amazing! ItÂ’s much more handy and takes up a lot less room than an old fashioned, bulky box grater. With a box grater, you need to have a stable surface so you can grate over a plate or paper towel, but you still have to keep it stable with one hand. With this, you can lay the grater horizontally over the top of a plate, bowl, pot or pan, or just hold it at an angle over a dish while you grate, and you donÂ’t need to take up any additional counter space do it! If I wanted to grate huge quantities of food, like multiple heads of cabbage for making sauerkraut or kimchi, I might still break out the food processor, but for 99% of what I need, this handheld grater is so much easier to use! IÂ’d much rather grate a 2 lb block of cheese with this than break out the food processor, swap out the blade for a shredding disc, then deal with clean up of the food processor bowl, cover, food pusher and grating disc (that also would take up a lot of real estate inside the dishwasher).This thing is razor SHARP, so it makes grating much easier than an old fashioned type grater because you donÂ’t have to use as much force. I donÂ’t have the strength I used to have, so IÂ’m thankful for this. You might want to use a cut proof glove for grating, or at least pay very close attention, especially if youÂ’re accustomed using an older style grater. IÂ’ve shredded sharp cheddar cheeses, softer Muenster and Colby cheeses, and it does an excellent job at creating long shreds. Softer cheeses can benefit from a few minutes in the freezer before shredding, but IÂ’ve never had any issues.Clean up with a dish sponge or brush is easy, as long as you clean up soon after using. Just make sure to clean and dry “with the grain” of the shredding holes, and not against, or youÂ’ll shred your sponge or dish towel. I donÂ’t put mine into the dishwasher because I donÂ’t place my expensive knives in there, either. It might be fine to do this once in a while, but I still donÂ’t, since the high heat and detergent chemicals are not exactly the best for sharp blades. This is much easier to clean than the box graters IÂ’ve had, because it was always a pain to reach up I inside to get them thoroughly clean. Love this! IÂ’ll probably purchase additional Microplane graters at some point, to have a variety of shred sizes to choose from. Professional chefs use this style and brand for VERY good reason!

Great choice. I got the extra coarse. Bought it in February 2018 and still looks and performs like new. Another microplane for hard cheese from a different and very popular brand that I got at the same time in the store has plastic around it and the plastic is already split and cracked all around. Once the plastic will be gone the whole thing will have to go in the trash because the metal is too thin and dangerous to use without the plastic buffer.This Microplane Gourmet Series Cheese Grater is made to last and perform a long time.

Another amazing microplane product!

This greater is perfect! It is super safe to use even though the blade is sharp. It comes with a guard making it perfect to store without worrying of any accidents.We mainly use it to grate our vegan cheese and it is perfect for finishing touches or just poor over a vegan pizza 🤩This greater is so smooth when using it on other ingredients such as carrots. 10 out of 10

Danger - will cut you deep.

DANGER. Get something else if you want to save yourself from a household emergency room visit. This thing cut so deep the hole in my thumb didn't stop bleeding for 30 hours. One turn the wrong way and the whole thing slips out and your hand/thumb pays a severe price. I don't usually write reviews and I give companies a lot of benefit of doubt. BUT, I feel so strong about this need to warn people. I thought maybe it was user error. So I went to use it again, being extra careful - and ended up with not one gouge in my thumb - but three!! Not as deep, but I was being careful knowing the danger. Just simply a bad design! I don't know how a company could release this product and sell this product knowing (or thereafter learning of) its inherent dangers. RUN AWAY! Would ... MoreDANGER. Get something else if you want to save yourself from a household emergency room visit. This thing cut so deep the hole in my thumb didn't stop bleeding for 30 hours. One turn the wrong way and the whole thing slips out and your hand/thumb pays a severe price. I don't usually write reviews and I give companies a lot of benefit of doubt. BUT, I feel so strong about this need to warn people. I thought maybe it was user error. So I went to use it again, being extra careful - and ended up with not one gouge in my thumb - but three!! Not as deep, but I was being careful knowing the danger. Just simply a bad design! I don't know how a company could release this product and sell this product knowing (or thereafter learning of) its inherent dangers. RUN AWAY! Would show pictures - but they really are gross.

The gratest

Love these graters - retain their sharpness over time, so handy to grab and use while cooking. Had one with plastic frame before that eventually broke. This one has a metal frame and is slightly more expensive but will hopefully last even longer. A great product i get a lot of use from.

Well built and sharp, but almost too sharp?

To say this is sharp is an understatement. I?ve used many graters in the past, and never once have I used one as sharp as this; so sharp in fact, that it sliced the tip of my finger off during my first usage. I was not ready for how efficient it was going to be so I would not recommend this for anyone who either is not a 100% professional using a grater or, even professionals, I would say to get a pair of cut resistent gloves to be safe. This is a tool where if a mistake is made, it will be a PAINFUL one, unlike a cheaper, less sharp grater that would just leave more of a scrape than a gash. Overall it?s a well built, good quality grater that will not fall apart with usage. It cuts through hard produce like butter and just bites away at food so quickly. I just have ... MoreTo say this is sharp is an understatement. I?ve used many graters in the past, and never once have I used one as sharp as this; so sharp in fact, that it sliced the tip of my finger off during my first usage. I was not ready for how efficient it was going to be so I would not recommend this for anyone who either is not a 100% professional using a grater or, even professionals, I would say to get a pair of cut resistent gloves to be safe. This is a tool where if a mistake is made, it will be a PAINFUL one, unlike a cheaper, less sharp grater that would just leave more of a scrape than a gash. Overall it?s a well built, good quality grater that will not fall apart with usage. It cuts through hard produce like butter and just bites away at food so quickly. I just have to take a star away because the sharpness almost makes the tool dangerous for the lack of extra precaution on the device. Moral of the story, sharpest does not always equal better, but if you want an amazingly built grater and have cut resistent gloves, I would say this is the perfect tool.