A good cheese grater turns a block into fluffy shreds in seconds. Box graters give you several textures on one tool, rotary graters turn a handle and keep your fingers away from the blade, and flat paddle graters make a fine, powder-like result for hard cheese.
The six graters below cover all three styles. Sizes, materials and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these graters ourselves, and maker claims are described as the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Style | Box, rotary and paddle graters suit different jobs |
| Surfaces | Coarse, medium, fine and slicing sides add range |
| Container | A detachable base catches, measures and stores |
| Handle | A soft or non-slip grip helps control |
| Storage | Slim, flat or capped designs fit a drawer |
Specs at a Glance
| Grater | Style and material | Size from listing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO 4-Sided Box | Box; stainless steel | 12 x 5 x 12.4 in | Coarse, medium, fine and slicing; detachable container |
| KitchenAid Gourmet Box | Box; stainless steel | 6.3 x 6.3 x 9.6 in | Container with 1/2 to 2 cup markings and a lid; dishwasher safe |
| Cuisipro Box | Box; stainless steel | 10.5 x 3.75 x 10.5 in | Four surfaces; detachable base; dishwasher safe |
| Zyliss Rotary | Rotary drum | 9 x 4.5 x 10.8 in | Three drums, plunger, suction foot and table clamp |
| OXO Seal and Store | Rotary handheld | Weight 8.8 oz | Medium surface; cap collects cheese; silicone seal |
| Microplane Fine | Flat paddle; stainless steel | 10.75 x 3.37 x 0.75 in | Fine blade for hard cheese; soft handle; stores flat |
The 6 Best Cheese Graters
1. OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater with Container
A stainless steel box grater with coarse, medium and fine surfaces plus a slicing side, a slim build that fits in drawers, a soft non-slip handle and a detachable container that catches, measures and stores.
Suits: an everyday all-round grater. Strengths: four surfaces and a slim body. Weaknesses: a tall 12.4 inch frame. Skip it if you only grate hard cheese finely.
View OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater for Cheese and Vegetables with Container on Amazon
2. KitchenAid Gourmet Box Grater with Detachable Measuring Container
A four-sided stainless steel box grater with coarse, medium and fine shredding surfaces and a slicer. The container has 1/2, 1, 1-1/2 and 2 cup markings and comes with a lid for storing what you have shredded.
Suits: cooks who measure as they shred. Strengths: a marked container with a lid. Weaknesses: the container adds bulk to storage. Skip it if you want a flat tool.
3. Cuisipro 4 Sided Box Grater with Handle
A stainless steel box grater with four surfaces from fine to coarse, a detachable base that doubles as a container and a non-slip handle. The maker describes its Surface Glide Technology as giving a smooth glide, and the listing says it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: someone who also grinds ginger. Strengths: a detachable base and a handle. Weaknesses: the smooth-glide effect is the maker’s claim. Skip it if you want a rotary tool.
View Cuisipro Stainless Steel Cheese Grater with Handle, 4 Sided Box Grater for Kitchen on Amazon
4. Zyliss Rotary Cheese Grater with 3 Drum Blades
A drum grater with a plunger, three drums (fine, coarse and cutting), a drum storage tube, a suction foot for smooth surfaces and a table clamp for rough ones. The listing table gives the material as aluminium while the text describes stainless steel blades, so check which part is which.
Suits: shredding a lot of cheese quickly. Strengths: three drums and two ways to hold it steady. Weaknesses: many parts to wash and store. Skip it if you have little counter or drawer room.
View Zyliss Rotary Cheese Grater, Stainless Steel, Grater and 3 Drum Blades on Amazon
5. OXO Good Grips Seal and Store Rotary Grater
A handheld rotary grater with a large barrel, sharp stainless steel blades and a medium surface suited to hard cheese, chocolate and nuts. A cap collects the cheese, an adjustable window lets you pour what you need, and a silicone seal keeps it fresh in the refrigerator.
Suits: small amounts at the table. Strengths: a cap that stores and pours. Weaknesses: one medium surface only. Skip it if you need several textures.
View OXO Good Grips Seal and Store Rotary Grater on Amazon
6. Microplane Home Series Fine Cheese Grater
A flat paddle grater in stainless steel with a fine blade. The maker lists hard cheeses such as Parmesan, plus citrus, chili, ginger and garlic, and says the result is powder-like. It has a soft-touch handle and stores flat.
Suits: fluffy Parmesan over pasta. Strengths: a slim, flat build. Weaknesses: one fine texture, no container. Skip it if you want thick shreds for melting.
Care and Setup
- Rinse right after use so cheese does not dry on the blade.
- Use a brush on fine teeth, not your fingers.
- Cold, firm cheese is easier to shred than soft cheese.
- Keep the blade side away from other utensils in the drawer.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Pressing hard on the grater instead of letting the blade work.
- Using a fine paddle for a big batch of shredded cheese.
- Ignoring the care note on dishwasher use for each model.
- Buying a tall box grater for a small drawer.
Cheese Grater FAQ
Which style is best for Parmesan?
A fine paddle, like the Microplane, gives the lightest texture. A box grater’s fine side also works.
Are rotary graters easy to clean?
They have more parts, so allow a little more time. Check each listing for dishwasher notes.
The Short Version
For an all-round box grater, the OXO 4-Sided. For measuring as you go, the KitchenAid. For a detachable base, the Cuisipro. For fast, big batches, the Zyliss. For small amounts you can store, the OXO Seal and Store. For fine Parmesan, the Microplane.
