Graters are made to be used on a variety of vegetables, spices such as nutmeg and ginger, citrus fruits and even chocolate, but let's be honest - most of the time they are probably going to be used for cheese. Be it parmesan, cheddar, Parmigiano, or vegan sunflower cheddar - we are a nation of cheese-lovers, so you'll need a grater which is up to the task.
We've put together this buying guide to showcase the best types of cheese grater out there. Featuring selected products from Alessi, Zyliss and OXO - available to buy in the UK from Amazon, Lakeland, John Lewis and others - to help you make a 'grate' choice! Moreover, we have partnered with chef Ryan Yen for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Cheese Graters
Zyliss
A Quick and Compact Rotary Grater for Hard and Medium Cheeses
Ryan is a trained chef with experience in several restaurants (with various kitchen supplies across the restaurant experience) and hotels, he also attended le cordon bleu to further his training in cuisine and patisserie and focus on creating simple and delicious dishes. Ryan is now formally working as a chef tutor.
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Ryan is a trained chef with experience in several restaurants (with various kitchen supplies across the restaurant experience) and hotels.
He also attended le cordon bleu to further his training in cuisine and patisserie and focus on creating simple and delicious dishes. Ryan is now formally working as a chef tutor.
Upright box graters are the classic cheese graters that most of us will be familiar with. Made from stainless steel, box graters are versatile, usually with four sides offering differing functions - one side perfect for cheddar-like cheeses, one for grating parmesan and the other two for zesting and slicing a range of vegetables.
Sometimes featuring an ergonomic handle for easier grating and a rubber bottom to prevent slipping, box graters are perfect for preparing large amounts of cheese for dishes like lasagne or gratin. The design also catches the cheese inside the grater itself, for less mess and some box graters even have an actual plastic box attached to the bottom that can also be used as a storage container.
A handheld grater usually has just one grating size option, so it may be more of a supplementary grater than your main one, but it's ideal for parmesan cheese, citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, and some dry spices (e.g., nutmeg).
Those that have ergonomic handles make grating easier and more comfortable, and the slim design means you can grate the cheese straight onto your plate without much mess - they also don't need very much space.
Flat container graters are perfect for space-saving and multitasking. Consisting of a box made from plastic, the metal grating blade fits neatly on top of the box and you then grate horizontally; once you've finished you simply remove the metal grater and you have a neat portion within the box of whatever you've grated, ready for use.
The best container graters will also come with a plastic lid to place over the grater for when you're not using it. This lid prevents any accidents being inflicted by that sharp surface when it is in the cupboard, and best of all any grated leftovers can be left in the container with the lid on, ready for storage in the fridge. Genius!
On the fancier end of graters, we have the cheese plane. With its extremely simple design, it is made for slicing cheese into evenly cut super-thin slices, great for cheese and crackers, sandwiches or for parmesan curls. The best cheese planes will have a well-secured, ergonomic handle for comfort and precision and a sharp enough blade to slice all types of cheese. A great little tool for suppers and dinner parties.
For those who grate large quantities, you should upgrade to a grater which will do the hard work for you, in half the time! Modern rotary graters are based on the classic all-metal Mouli grater, beloved of so many French kitchens. To use one, just hold the item against the rotating grater blade with one hand, whilst the other turns a handle to power this speedy style of grater.
Electric graters also use spinning grater blades and as ever, quality electrical items are far more likely to live up to expectations, so choose wisely. We suggest a multi-purpose food-processor style electric grating option, which really will perform any grating task in just seconds.
Serious home-kitchen chefs will want to choose a grater with graded stainless steel, such as 304 or 430 grade, for sharp blades and durability that will stand the test of time. 304 grade stainless steel is also known as 18/8 which is the best food-grade steel available, being totally non-absorbent and non-toxic whilst also being extremely strong and durable.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OXO Good Grips Box Grater | ![]() | An Efficient, Versatile and High Quality Grater From OXO | |
2 | Heatigo Container Cheese Grater | ![]() | A Classic Container Grater With Storage Lid for Mess-Free Prep | |
3 | Zyliss Rotary Grater With Handle |E900011 | ![]() | A Quick and Compact Rotary Grater for Hard and Medium Cheeses | |
4 | DI ORO Pro Grade Grater | ![]() | The Best Choice for a Handheld Grater With Razor-Sharp Blades | |
5 | Master Class Smart Space 3-Way Fold-Flat Stainless Steel Cheese Grater | ![]() | Cleverly Designed to Save Space in Smaller Kitchens | |
6 | Tesco Handheld Flat Grater Turquoise | ![]() | A Super Affordable Multi-Functional Alternative | |
7 | Alessi 'Forma' Cheese Grater | ![]() | Designed to Mould to the Shape of Your Palm | |
8 | VonShef VonShef Food Processor | ![]() | The Ideal Multipurpose Gadget for Keen Home Cooks | |
9 | John Lewis & Partners Stainless Steel Cheese Plane | ![]() | Perfect for Cheese Platters, Sandwiches and Parmesan Curls |
This multi-purpose cheese grater by OXO, has four generously-sized different stainless steel surfaces for grating, slicing and zesting and a lidded storage box to catch the gratings - what more could you ask for?
Featuring both an ergonomic, comfy handle and rubber base, there's no slippage and not much effort required when using. The box, can be taken off or put on as required. Not only does it catch the food, but the box can also be used as a container to store leftover gratings in the fridge. An excellent all-rounder from a highly respected brand.
A handy little item, this flat container grater is versatile, yet compact enough to store easily in a drawer or cupboard. With an option of two different bladed lids plus a storage lid, it's ideal for not only cheese but various vegetables, plus herbs like garlic and ginger. Any leftovers can be stored in the grater box using the secure lid.
The container limits mess and the bladed lids are very easy to remove and can be quickly cleaned by hand (a small brush is included) or in the dishwasher. This grater is convenient, safe to use and simply designed, so that it doesn't take up much room. It is perfect for smaller kitchens.
Zyliss have designed a grater which is ideal for cheese lovers wanting a fast-grate option. This rotary grater is turned easily by a handle, yet it is compact and easy to store thanks to the clever fold-away handle design.
The grated cheese falls directly onto the pizza or pasta, if held at an angle above your dish - parmesan cheese fans rate it highly. The grater is simple to clean with warm soapy water, and is dishwasher proof too. It is Swiss-made and impressively comes with a 5 year guarantee
Compact, affordable and robust - the Pro Grade Grater also comes with an unlimited warranty, which is even more reassuring as DI ORO is a brand known for their top-class customer service. If you love the grater, you can buy a zester from them too.
Made from stainless S-core steel, it has an anti-rust, long-lasting design that has been laser-etched for razor-sharp quality. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to use without slipping, plus it is easy to clean by hand and it is dishwasher safe.
Here we have a brilliantly designed folding grater with three different blade types (coarse, fine and zesting). Made with etched stainless steel, this small-but-mighty grater can cope with cheese, vegetables, spices and chocolate.
The non-slip plastic base also acts as a blade protector - for safety when storing and to ensure the cutting surfaces stay perfectly sharp. This folding grater is easily compact enough to be neatly stored in a drawer, also on a practical note it is dishwasher safe. The grating surfaces are rather small, so this is definitely more of an occasional-use grater or one for a small households.
Looking for something practical, that can be stored away neatly in a drawer and doesn't break the bank? This basic stainless steel flat grater may be what you are looking for. Easy-to-clean and it is a true bargain.
The three different blades give it the ability to grate, zest and julienne, so it's suitable for more than just cheese. The food can be grated straight over your plate, but despite the non-slip edge it's definitely not as stable as some other types featured.
Designed by architect Zaha Hadid, the 'Forma' Cheese Grater is made to mould into the shape of your palm, so it is pleasant to hold. It's also worth knowing that Alessi has B Corp company status, demonstrating a true dedication to sustainability.
This grater's unusual and beautiful design means it could be given as a gift or displayed on the table at a dinner party. Dishwasher safe, it can also easily be cleaned with warm, soapy water. It is a very pricey option however, due to its design credentials, but ideal if you want a unique-looking talking-point item.
This is an affordable yet reliable electric grating option - with a coarse grater blade and a fine grater blade - plus five other functions too! Rather than struggle with smaller electric graters, with rotating cones prone to getting clogged - this grating action is via whirring blades inside a traditional food processor.
This super-high speed grater is easy to clea,n as all removable parts are dishwasher safe. You do need a fair bit of storage space for the footprint of the processor, plus attachments however. The next-size-up model includes a storage drawer for the blade attachments, which is worth knowing about as storing the super-sharp blades safely is a must.
More of a cheese slicer than a grater, this stainless steel cheese plane from John Lewis & Partners creates evenly cut slices of cheese. Particularly good for making parmesan curls, providing a sophisticated change from the usual grated parmesan.
This is an excellent way to ensure your cheddar cheese sandwiches don't end up delivering all of your calories for the day in one go, as the slices it produces are wafer thin. However, this design might not suit you if you are on a budget and looking for a single, all-purpose cheese grater.
No. 1: OXO|Good Grips Box Grater
No. 2: Heatigo|Container Cheese Grater
No. 3: Zyliss|Rotary Grater With Handle |E900011
No. 4: DI ORO|Pro Grade Grater
No. 5: Master Class|Smart Space 3-Way Fold-Flat Stainless Steel Cheese Grater
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