Grater

A grater is a kitchen tool with sharp, perforated surfaces used to reduce foods into small pieces by rubbing them against the blade. Graters are usually handheld, but some designs are built into a box or included in rotary devices to provide steady support and more controlled output.

Common designs include box graters, which have four sides with different grating textures; flat hand graters with a single edge; microplane graters featuring long, narrow blades for fine zest and light shreds; and rotary graters that press food through a rotating perforated drum.

Materials are typically stainless steel for the blades, mounted in plastic or wood frames. Surfaces vary from fine to coarse, with citrus zest work usually requiring a very fine grating. Some graters are specialized for cheese, chocolate, or hard vegetables.

Typical uses include grating hard cheeses such as Parmesan, shredding vegetables for salads and slaws, grating garlic or ginger, zesting citrus, and producing fine crumbs or flakes from chocolate or bread.

Care and safety: blades are sharp, so handle with care and consider a cut-resistant glove or guard when using rotary or high-output graters. Prompt cleaning prevents residue buildup; many parts are dishwasher-safe, though hand washing can extend blade life. Dry thoroughly.

The grater has a long-standing role in cooking, enabling texture, aroma, and flavor. By choosing the proper style and grate size, a cook can efficiently achieve desired results for a recipe.