Best Ginger Grater
Gingerbread cookies, ginger beer, ginger marmalade, ginger chicken – is your mouth watering yet? Ginger is a versatile, funny-looking root that is an essential ingredient in Caribbean, Indian, Asian and Western cooking. By grating ginger, the spice adds its distinct flavor to enhance everything from cookies and beverages to meat, seafood and vegetables.
Sometimes a recipe calls for powdered or sliced ginger, but more often than not, fresh ginger added to recipes is grated. This is easier said than done because ginger is very fibrous, with fibers running from the top to the bottom of the root, making it difficult to grate. You could use a knife to finely chop a piece but the easiest way to get what you need is to use a ginger grater.
Below you will find a list of ginger graters you can purchase online. Read on to find out why we think these are some of the best that you can buy and which one best suits your needs and culinary style.
1. Editor’s Choice: Microplane Ginger Tool
Because ginger is a fibrous root, cutting or grating it can be a difficult task. Finding the right kitchen tool to do the job is essential for getting an accurate amount of grated ginger to fulfill a recipe requirement, or your own personal taste.
Many people prefer a rasp-style ginger grater because of its sharp cutting teeth. This one from Microplane is no exception. With its super sharp grating surface, the triangular-shaped teeth cut through a piece of ginger quickly and cleanly and shreds it so the fiber and juice stay together. This produces the perfect paste to enhance the flavor of your Pho, broth or stir fry.
The flat design of the grater makes it easy to hold and you can grate directly over a bowl, pot or pan. You can also use it to grate garlic and turmeric. This three-in-one grater has two other cool features: you can use the little plastic nub on the side to peel your ginger and there is a small mandolin slicer on one end that is perfect creating ultra-slim, uniform ginger slices. So, peel, grate and slice with one convenient tool. Genius, right?
Pros:
- Flat design is easy to use and store in a drawer
- Peel, grate and slice with this ginger grater
- Shreds ginger so the fibers and juice stay together
Cons:
- The cover on the mandolin is difficult to remove
- Not everyone will want or need the slicer
2. Runner Up: Moha Rotating Ginger Grater
When you live in a small space – and that includes a tiny kitchen – it’s vital to have only the essential cooking tools on hand and they should all either be multi-functional or compact in size. Our next choice is a space-saving option that proves Greek storyteller Aesop’s quote that “good things come in small packages.”
This compact ginger grater fits nicely in the palm of your hand, although to use it, you place it on the countertop or table. It’s made of three pieces. The top, which has stainless steel blades, is used to grate the ginger and fits on top of a collector box that catches the grated garlic and juice. On the upper inside of the top is an integrated cleaning arm. This can be rotated after you have finished grating to collect the fresh shavings for easy measuring and for cleanup.
The concave side of the grater makes it easy to hold and you don’t have to exert a lot of pressure during the grating process. Use it also to grate horseradish and nutmeg and zesting citrus. When you’re done, you can pop it into the dishwasher or wash by hand.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Has a collector box attached to the grater
- Integrated cleaning arm
Cons:
- Does not come with a cover and the grating surface is very sharp
3. Best Ceramic: LONIN Advanced Ceramic Grater
For some people, the only kind of ginger grater they will use is made of ceramic or porcelain. This is because this material is will not rust and does not retain odors. It’s also efficient and easy to use, and in the case of this model from Lonin, it’s budget-priced, too, so even if you don’t grate ginger often, you don’t have to fret about spending too much money on an infrequently used kitchen tool.
This ceramic model has rows of sharp teeth that are perfect for quickly shredding out the fiber and efficiently grating ginger. You use it by placing it on a countertop or table. A silicone ring on the bottom holds it in place. The four-inch grater is shaped like a bowl, with the grater in the center and the rest of the bowl providing a receptacle for the gratings and juice to collect. You can store it in a drawer or attach a string through the hole at one end and hang it out of the way on a hook
A versatile tool, you can also use the grater for elephant garlic, daikon radish and parmesan cheese.
Pros:
- Bowl shape catches grating and juice
- Budget price
- Versatile use
Cons:
- May break if dropped
- Small grating surface
4. Best Multi-Functional: NexTrend Twister 4th Gen
If you are thinking of getting a ginger grater but are concerned about buying a “specialty” item that can only be used for one purpose, then you may be surprised to learn that many ginger graters can be used to grate garlic as well. In fact, many models do more than grate ginger but if you really want a versatile, multi-functional option, then consider this award-winning plastic garlic twister for ginger, herbs and nuts from NexTrend.
This cool little number is great to smash and grate garlic, but it will also do a respectable job grating ginger. You don’t even have to peel the ginger; just slice it up, place it in the bottom half of the grater, put on the cover, twist a few times and voila, grated ginger perfection with no mess. You control the size of the end product by the number of twists.
This six-time industry award-winning product has been enhanced with improvements and a patented design that helps to gather the grated ingredients into neat triangles, so they are easy to remove. And, it comes in four colors – clear, green, purple and rose – to match with any décor. Use it on ginger, garlic, nuts, shallots, olives and more.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Multifunctional
- Grating teeth are beveled in both directions for efficient cutting
Cons:
- Twisting motion may be difficult with anyone with arthritic hands
- Made of plastic
5. Best Design: Otevy Mos Ginger Grater
Some ginger graters are flat and can be laid on top of a bowl or pan to grate directly into a receptacle. Others sit on the counter while you grate but often the grating surface is small. In both of these scenarios, as the ginger wears down, your fingers come painfully close to the sharp cutting surface.
We love the way this ginger grater is designed because it gives you the best of all worlds. It has a large grating area, a handle, a collection box and a hand guard to protect your fingers from getting cut on the grating blades. The durable and sharp blade is made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
You have a choice of how you want to use this ginger grater. Connected to the collection box, you can attach the hand guard, place the ginger in the cup groove, put on guard cover, and then run it back and forth over the blades. The grated ginger and any juices fall into the collector box. If you find the box bulky, no problem. Slide it out and use the grater as is, holding it by the handle.
Pros:
- Hand guard protects fingers from getting cut
- Large grating surface
- Can be used with and without the hand guard and collection box
Cons:
- Grater surface may oxidize if kept damp
6. Best Budget-Pick: OXO Good Grips Etched Ginger & Garlic Grater
If you’re just setting up your kitchen, it can be expensive to fully equip it with everything you need to prepare your favorite recipes. If you love using fresh ginger in your everyday cooking, then a good ginger grater is a must-have. This cute model from OXO performs well and is so well-priced, you may end up getting two – one for you and one for a friend.
The rectangular-shaped cutting surface is a generous size and has high, etched stainless steel teeth that are ideal for fibrous ingredients like ginger, and are also suitable for grating turmeric and horseradish. There is a soft, non-slip handle that we find to be a bit short, which can be somewhat of a drawback for some people. However, bonus features include a non-slip foot for extra control while grating and a clear plastic snap-on cover that keeps your hands and the surface protected while not in use. The cover also doubles as a scraper to get every bit of paste off the grater. Easy to care for, the ginger grater is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Budget-priced
- Snap-on cover doubles as a lid
- Non-slip foot for extra control
Cons:
- Handle is a bit short
7. Also Consider: Crystalia Handmade Glass Vegetable Grater for Ginger
When stainless steel, ceramic or plastic is not what you’re looking for, but you still want to benefit from using a ginger grater, then you might want to consider one made from glass.
This ginger grater from Crystalia is hand-made with lead-free, cadmium-free glass, so you know anything that you grate with it will be healthy enough for even a baby. In fact, not only does this handy little kitchen tool grate ginger, it is also ideal for grating garlic, onions, cheese, apples and other soft fruit and vegetables.
The dish-shaped grater has a raised center with sharp edges where you grate the food, and a small handle that you can hold to keep it stable while grating. This type of grater is better at creating more of a paste or puree, so it might not suit your needs if you are looking to get chunks or textured pieces. While it is easy to clean, it can break if dropped and should be handled carefully.
Pros:
- Good alternative to plastic, ceramic and stainless steel
- Dish-like design retains the paste and liquid
- Attractive
- Cons:
- Small handle
- Can break if dropped
8. Worth Mentioning: Kinjirushi Steel Shark Grater
Much of Japanese cuisine call for spices and flavorings such as grated wasabi, ginger and garlic, often into a fine creamy texture depending on which food it is being used to enhance. If you already enjoy a traditional way of Japanese cooking or are excited to try new Japanese-inspired recipes, then it’s worth checking out this steel shark grater for wasabi, garlic and ginger from Kinjirushi.
It is the unique shapes on the surface of this stainless steel grater that make it different from other models. The Japanese symbols, わさび, that cover the surface mean wasabi, and how they are configured contributes to a highly effective grating process that quickly turns wasabi, garlic or ginger into a creamy paste.
This style grater is much wider than the other models, with a large grating area and flat handle. To use, you hold the grater on an angle and move the ginger (or whatever you are grating) in a circular movement until you have the quantity you desire.
Pros:
- Made in Japan
- Made from stainless steel
- Large grating surface
Cons:
- Expensive
What to look for when choosing a ginger grater:
There’s no doubt that fresh ginger is an essential spice in the kitchen of many home chefs. Although it can be found in powered form, using fresh ginger is the best way to impart the full flavor of this popular seasoning. Because ginger is fibrous, it can be difficult to slice, chop and grate, which is why many people have a ginger grater as part of their cooking arsenal. While it’s not difficult to find a ginger grater, the vast array of different styles and designs can get confusing. The following are some factors to consider when choosing one for your needs.
Material: Ginger graters can be made of stainless steel, ceramic or plastic, and the one you choose depends on your personal preference. Quality stainless steel and ceramic are durable, but stainless steel can corrode if not properly cared for and ceramic can break if dropped. Plastic is an option, unless you are trying to reduce the amount of plastic in your life. There are also not many plastic graters to choose from.
Design: This is where ginger graters differ the most; in the design. Most stainless steel models are typically made with a handle connected to a plate that has protruding sharpened prongs that cut into the ginger. With these you can grate the ginger directly over a bowl, plate, cutting board or pot. Some stainless steel models have a collector box attached to them, which can be very convenient and less messy. There are also some unique stainless steel options that are more compact and round in shape. These usually have a collector receptacle and a smaller grating surface.
A porcelain grater has rows of raised cutting heads that have sharp points formed into the porcelain plate that do the grating as the ginger is moved across the plate. These kinds of graters are often compact in size and round in shape. They also have a small handle and silicone or another material on the bottom to help hold the grater in place when in use. A ceramic grater won’t rust or retain odors, but it will break if dropped on the floor.
Details: Regardless of the material you choose, there are some other details to think about. For example, the surface size of the grater. If you grate a lot of ginger, you will want a model with a larger grating surface. These are easier to find in a stainless steel grater than a ceramic one. The length of the handle makes a difference too. If it’s too short, it may be too difficult to grasp if you are grating lots of ginger.
Photo credit: al1962/Shutterstock