Patrick Oconnell
Graters are a common kitchen tool, but many people are unsure of the best way to use them. Using a hand cheese grater can be frustrating, tiring, and even dangerous. However, with the right technique, you can grate cheese and other foods quickly and safely. This involves choosing the right type of grater, such as a box grater or a rotary grater, and using it effectively to avoid spills and accidental knuckle-shaving.
How to Use a Hand Cheese Grater
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grater Type | Box grater, rotary grater, horizontal grater |
| Grater Uses | Grating cheese, zesting citrus, grating garlic, ginger, vegetables, chocolate, butter, eggs, tofu, cauliflower rice, and more |
| Grater Maintenance | Clean thoroughly, dismantle parts, dislodge stuck food with a knife, boil water to melt stuck cheese, scrub with a brush |
| Grating Technique | Use long, downward strokes, apply even pressure, grate away from yourself, use body weight for easier grating |
| Grating Safety | Avoid grating fingers, use a knife to dislodge food, slow down when grating, use the palm of your hand for small food items |
| Grater Features | Attachable container, sharp stainless steel drum blades, detachable ergonomic handle, suction base |
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What You'll Learn
How to avoid grating your fingers
To avoid grating your fingers when using a hand cheese grater, it's important to be mindful of your technique and choose the right tools. Here are some tips to help you avoid any painful accidents:
Firstly, consider the type of grater you're using. A box grater with multiple sides offers versatility, but a hand grater is compact and easy to store. If you're grating small or soft foods, a rotary grater or plastic grater might be a safer option. You can also look for a grater with an attachable container, which can help prevent grated food from spilling and doubling as storage.
When using a hand grater, it's crucial to maintain control and be careful not to let the grater come too close to your fingers. Slow down as you get close to the end of the food item, and stop grating when you reach the "nub." Instead of using your fingertips, switch to using the palm of your hand to finish grating, keeping your fingers raised and away from the grater.
To enhance control and stability, place the food item somewhere with plenty of friction, like a chopping board. You can also try laying the grater on its side, holding the handle firmly, and shredding the food side to side. This method collects the grated food neatly inside the grater and eliminates the need for an extra dish.
If you're still concerned about safety, consider investing in cut-resistant gloves, such as Kevlar gloves, or using a tea towel or oven cloth between your hand and the food. These protective measures can provide an extra layer of defence against accidental grating.
By following these tips and staying mindful while grating, you can greatly reduce the risk of grating your fingers and improve your overall grating experience.
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Using a rotary cheese grater
Rotary cheese graters are a useful kitchen tool, especially if you're in a rush. They are also a great option if you want to avoid grating your knuckles, which can often happen with a box grater.
To use a rotary cheese grater, first, get all your ingredients and tools ready. Clean and dry your grater. Pick out the cheese or vegetable you want to grate. Follow the directions that came with your grater to assemble it. Attach the right drum blades and ensure all the parts are lined up correctly. Install the crank handle and attach the suction base to prevent unnecessary movement. Check if the lock mechanism is engaged. Now, fill the hopper with your chosen ingredient and turn the crank handle to start grating. Move steadily and consistently to achieve a consistent grate. Put the shredded cheese or sliced vegetable in a bowl or on a plate. Check the operation regularly to ensure it's functioning correctly and that the grating is to your liking.
To avoid accidents, keep your fingers away from the drum blades. Ensure the grater is on a stable surface with the suction base securely in place. After use, carefully disassemble the grater and clean it thoroughly to maintain its safety and security. Remove the crank handle and drum blades, ensuring all parts are separated so they can be cleaned. If the suction base can be taken apart, remove it carefully. Rinse each part with warm water and scrub the blades and other parts with a brush with soft bristles.
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Cleaning your cheese grater
First, eliminate any leftover cheese bits. Use a utensil or brush to dislodge any stuck pieces, being gentle to avoid damaging the grater's surface. You can also use a toothpick to reach those tight spaces and poke out bits of cheese trapped in the holes. Hold the grater over a bin to catch the falling bits.
Next, soak the grater in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes. This will loosen the residue, making it simpler to clean. If you don't have time to soak the grater, running it under very hot water may be enough to remove the cheese, especially if you do it soon after using the grater.
Now it's time to scrub. Use a brush or sponge to reach into the tiny grater holes, ensuring no cheese is left behind. Choose a brush with stiff bristles or a durable sponge for effective scrubbing. Brush in the direction of the blades to avoid damaging your brush and to prevent injury. If you're using a sponge, a scrubby sponge or a green scrubby pad can be useful.
If there is still hardened cheese on your grater, you might need to use an abrasive. Dip a lemon into a bowl of salt and scrub the grater. Leave it for a bit and then run the grater under very hot water to remove the remaining cheese. The acidity of the lemon will help cut the grease, and the fleshy pulp can scrub the metal and get into those hard-to-clean holes.
You can also use vinegar, a natural and powerful way to dissolve cheese remnants. Soak a cloth in white vinegar and place it over the grater's surface, ensuring good contact with the stuck-on cheese. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then scrub lightly with the cloth. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove any vinegar smell.
Always dry your cheese grater completely with a clean cloth to prevent rust or mould growth.
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Grating foods other than cheese
Hand cheese graters can be used to grate a variety of foods other than cheese. Here are some examples:
Vegetables
Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and garlic can be grated using a hand cheese grater. Grated vegetables can be used in various dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, soups, and sauces, cakes, and quick bread batters. For example, grated carrots add colour and texture to a dish, while grated garlic brings a pungent flavour and a bit of heat.
Fruits
Fruits like tomatoes and frozen bananas can also be grated. Grated tomatoes act like a jam on bread, while a frozen banana can be grated into a dessert, topped with Nutella or chocolate sauce.
Spices and Seasonings
Spices and seasonings such as ginger, horseradish, and dried meat (e.g., beef jerky) can be grated to add flavour to dishes. Grating these ingredients helps to avoid large chunks, distributing the flavour evenly throughout the dish. Additionally, charcoal can be grated into finishing salt to give meat a smoky flavour.
Other Foods
Other foods that can be grated include butter, eggs, and chocolate. Grated butter can be used as a garnish, while eggs can be grated and mixed with salt and sugar to create a cured yolk. Chocolate can be grated into shavings or ribbons to top off desserts or beverages.
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Grating techniques to avoid spills
Grating cheese can be a messy and sometimes painful task, but there are several techniques you can use to avoid spills and keep your fingers safe.
Firstly, it's important to choose the right type of grater for the food you're grating. For example, a coarse grate is better for semi-hard cheeses like cheddar and vegetables like potatoes, while a fine grate is more suitable for softer foods. Using the wrong type of grate can cause food to stick to the grates and increase the risk of accidents.
To avoid spills, it's recommended to place your grater inside a large shallow dish. This way, when you're done grating, you can simply lift the grater, and the food will fall into the dish instead of spilling onto your work surface. Alternatively, you can use a grater with an attachable container, which also allows you to store the grated food directly in the fridge or cupboard.
Another way to prevent sticking and spills is to apply a fine mist of cooking spray to the grates before use. This will help the food glide over the grates smoothly.
When grating small pieces of food, there is an increased risk of cutting your fingers. To avoid this, you can use cut-resistant gloves or place the small piece of food inside a bottle cap and use the protruding part as a handle. You can also try crumbling the food with your fingers raised or using the palm of your hand to finish it off, being careful to keep your fingers away from the grater.
Lastly, a helpful tip to avoid spills is to lay your box grater on its side with the holes facing up. Then, slide the cheese block horizontally across the holes. This gives you more control and helps prevent injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
Slow down. The slower you go, the more control you have. Try to move in long, downward strokes, applying even pressure.
You can use a cheese grater with an attachable container, which eliminates grated food from spilling out. You can also place the grater on top of a plate or a piece of parchment paper to avoid dirtying dishes.
Instead of holding the handle of the vertical cheese grater at the top and covering the bottom with a cutting board or bowl, turn it on its side. Hold the handle of the grater near you and grate the cheese away from you.
You can grate many other foods besides cheese, including vegetables, butter, eggs, garlic, ginger, and even dough to make pasta from scratch!
