On pizza, in burgers, in desserts or main dishes, cheese plays a key role in defining consistency and taste. Whether we talk about Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano, grated cheese is famous. And of course, cooks will often experiment with softer cheese or nuts in their recipes. To make sure ingredients have the right level of granulation, an appropriate tool is a must.
While the box or the rasp-style graters can do a pretty good job in grinding cheese, there are some risks. You can scrape your fingertips or nails even when the cheese piece is too small. Not to mention the waste you make if you cannot fully shred the ingredients. That is why rotary cheese graters are so practical. They are safe to use, as your fingers are fully protected from the blades. Plus, they allow you to grind your ingredients all the way to the last bit. Very easy to use, rotary cheese graters come with a hopper, a lid and a rotating drum. The hopper takes in the food you wish to grate, while the lid secures it in. As you turn a crank, the rotating drum starts turning and its sharp teeth shred the food. Simple, efficient and safe to use even by children.
Now, if you want to upgrade your grinding game, here are our recommendations. Check out our quick buying guide below, as well as our top 5 picks for best rotary cheese graters. Let’s get started!
Guide To Picking The Best Rotary Cheese Graters
To help you find the most appropriate rotary cheese grater out there, we put together some tips. Here are our most recommended aspects you should keep in mind.
- Material
Mostly made of plastic and with a metal grinding component, these graters need to be food-safe. Opt for a model that is sturdy, durable and approved, to use it worry-free for a longer time.
- Design
From hand-held to models with a steady base, options out there vary. Choose a color and a design that you find pleasing. Preferably pick one that complements your kitchen utensils’ collection.
- Grinding Options
If you find it hard to pick between two models, go for the more versatile one. A rotary cheese grater that has several accessories gives you more flexibility. You get various grating sizes or can even process nuts or vegetables in it. The more freedom in using it, the better.
- Maintenance
Traditional graters are a one-piece only kind of cleaning matter. With the rotary cheese graters though, things changed. Go for a dishwasher safe model or pick one with less components to disassemble and clean.
- Ease of Use
From design to extra features, look closely at how intricate a rotary cheese grater is. And analyze how easy you think it would be for you to use it. Comfort and convenience should be the key words.
Our 2021 Selection Of The Best Rotary Cheese Graters
Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater
You may be reconsidering your perceptions on rotary cheese graters as you read. To give you more arguments supporting such a purchase, here are some exquisite models. Our 2021 selection of the best rotary cheese graters is here. A practical investment for your kitchen, they also make grinding a lot more enjoyable.
When looking for convenient use, check out the Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater. As an NSF restaurant certified model, you know it is fully safe to grind anything in it. From hard cheeses to chocolate or nuts, the hard drum of this grater can shred them all. The five years warranty is pretty reassuring as well. Plus, whether left-handed or right-handed, its design allows you to adjust as you like it.
Pros:
- NSF certified (food-safe)
- suitable for both home and restaurant use
- versatile assembly (adjustable handle position)
- easy cleaning (drum and handle easy to separate)
- 5 years warranty
- dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- prone to clogging (small grating holes)
- complaints on hard ingredients grinding not being efficient.
Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater
Fine or coarse shredding and even easy slicing are now more accessible. And they bring a splash of color to your kitchen in the shape of the Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater. The solid base of this round tumbling box mandoline slicer ensures extra comfort. Shred, chop, slice and even crush nuts in it, fully safe. The diagonal design of the slicer prevents clogging. Cleaning is a breeze for this utensil, whether you do it manually or place it in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- stable, sturdy construction
- diagonal orientation of the slicer (to prevent clogging)
- appealing, colorful design
- versatile blades (fine/coarse shredding, slicing)
- easy to clean (dishwasher safe too).
Cons:
- complaints on the quality of construction materials
- soft cheese prone to infiltrating among small components.
Rotary Cheese Grater
Rise and slice with the LOVKITCHEN Rotary Cheese Grater. This stainless steel beauty comes to meet and surpass all your expectations. Versatility is its middle name, we could say. The interchangeable blades allow you to get fine/coarse grated cheese in no time. Plus, you have a razor-sharp blade, perfect for slicing. Durable and easy to use, this grater can also be a zester or shredder in times of need. The hanger-handle can be useful if you are short on storage space, on top of a compact design.
Pros:
- versatile (three interchangeable blades)
- durable, sturdy design (food-grade stainless steel)
- easy to use
- convenient hanger-handle for storage.
Cons:
- disturbing (squealing) noise when torquing the handle
- metallic smear adhering to food processed
- metal particles infiltrating among the grinded ingredients.
Ourokhome Manual Rotary Cheese Grater
Shred in style with the Ourokhome Manual Rotary Cheese Grater. With a vibrant color and practical design, this round tumbling box shredder is a great pick. It surely makes a great first impression with its versatility. Use it to grate vegetables, cheese, nuts or even potatoes. For additional safety, the sturdy base comes with strong suction, to ensure stability. Clean it with ease under running water and store it in no time. Disassembling or cleaning are a no-brainer for this type of grater.
Pros:
- strong suction base for extra-secure grip effortless chopping.
- versatile (3 drum blades)
- small countertop print (easy to store)
- easy to clean
- colorful, appealing design.
Cons:
- prone to clogging
- water (and soap) infiltrating between the grater and base
- plastic components prone to breaking (when used for hard ingredients).
Rotary Cheese Grater Stainless Steel
Garlic, pistachio or hard cheese stand no chance in front of the LHS Rotary Cheese Grater. With a sturdy stainless steel body, this machine can shred, cut or grind almost anything. You can easily secure it to the countertop or table for more ease of use. Turn the knob down and you are ready to grate. The tool comes with 3 interchangeable sharp drums. Assembly is a piece of cake and cleaning just as well.
Pros:
- ideal for grinding hard ingredients
- versatile (3 interchangeable accessories)
- easy to assemble
- easy to clean
- food safe
- durable construction (stainless steel).
Cons:
- not suitable for soft cheese
- prone to clogging
- not recommended for large foods (like vegetable)
- hot water rinsing necessary for removal of food particles remaining.
Summary
A rotary cheese grater is a convenient way to grind faster and without putting your fingers at risk. Rather budget-friendly and versatile, these kitchen tools may not actually be a must-have. But for sure they are a wanna-have for those spending more time cooking. We hope today’s article helped you understand their utility and find a model to suit your needs. For grinding chocolate, nuts or shredding veggies, these manual graters are the answer. Let us know in the comments which functionality you like most on rotary cheese graters!
Leave a Reply