Fresh ingredients add flavor to any recipe. And, when it comes to cheese, freshly shredded cheese makes a big difference in both flavor and texture. While it may be more convenient to purchase pre-grated cheese for your recipe creations, shredding your own cheese has several benefits. When you have a rotary cheese grater in your stock of kitchen utensils, you can add flavor and freshness to your recipes and also eliminate the additives and preservatives in your ingredients that are present in commercially packaged shredded cheese. Shredding your own cheese is less expensive than purchasing commercially shredded bagged cheese, so using a rotary cheese grater can save you money.
When you start shopping for a rotary cheese grater, the amount of options you have to choose from can be overwhelming. There are handheld options, attachments and countertop versions. Some graters have a multi-function design and others have a more specific use. Some are electric and some are manual. With all of these different options on the market, making a smart choice can take a lot of time and research. But, there is no need to spend your valuable time searching and comparing these products online when our experts have already taken the time to do this research for you. In this article you will find our top picks for the best rotary cheese graters that are available on the market. Read on to get the product recommendations and information you need to make a smart choice when you are deciding which rotary cheese grater will work best for you. Our research and information will help you make a good decision and it won’t be long until you are grating fresh mozzarella, parmesan or cheddar, enhancing the flavor of your favorite cheesy recipes with cost saving benefits. Keep reading to learn more.
Best Countertop – GEEDEL Rotary Cheese Grater
The GEEDEL Rotary Cheese Grater is a sturdy, multi-purpose counter-top model that is efficient, safe and easy to use. You will make quick and easy work of grating, shredding or slicing fresh cheese, vegetables or nuts with this unit with ease. To get started all you need to do is securely suction the base with a simple turn-dial locking mechanism, insert your cheese in the hopper, and start grating, with an easy to use rotating arm crank operation. The GEEDEL Rotary Cheese Grater has a 2.6 inch shoot for added capacity and safety. This grater comes with three interchangeable blades made for shredding, slicing and grinding, that can be removed easily for cleaning. This product comes with a 1-month free trial and a 1 year warranty along with 24 hours of customer service and support.
Pros:
- Secure counter-top suction
- Safe and easy to use
- Good warranty and committed customer service
- Multi-function blades for shredding, slicing and grinding
Cons:
- Requires manual hand strength to use
- Constructed mostly of plastic, limited durability
Best Multi-Function – VEKAYA 5 in 1 Rotary Cheese Grater
If you are looking for a rotary cheese grater that has a surplus of additional blade functions, be sure to consider the VEKAYA 5 in 1 rotary cheese grader. This countertop model comes with five different blades with the functionality of coarse shredding, fine shredding, julienne shredding, cutting thin slices, and even cutting waffle slices. This model has a secure suction base that makes it safe and easy to use on a countertop. It is quick and easy to use, with a rotating crank arm operation. It is designed to be easy to assemble, disassemble and store. It also is dishwasher safe on the top rack.
Pros:
- 5 blades for a variety of grating and slicing capabilities.
- Strong suction.
- Convenient and easy to use
- Includes a case for blades that are not in use.
Cons:
- Takes up some more storage space than some other models.
- Constructed mostly of plastic.
Best Standmixer Attachment – KENOME Slicer/Shredder Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers
If you are looking for a rotary cheese grater that can be used as an attachment on your stand mixer consider the KENOME Slicer/Shredder attachment for your KitchenAid stand mixer. This reasonably priced attachment mounts to the power hub of any KitchenAid stand mixer. Using the attachment makes the process of shredding cheese quick and effortless. All you need to do is mount the attachment and feed the chute and the motor on your stand mixer does the work. This attachment comes with three blades: a medium shredding blade that works great for cheese, cauliflower, beets and carrots; a coarse shredding blade that is great for shredding zucchini, potatoes and finely shredded cheese; and a slicing blade which works great for potatoes and vegetables. This is a great option if you do not want to purchase an additional appliance and are looking for something that is built to last.
Pros:
- Stainless Steel Blades.
- Durable Long Lasting Performance.
- Great for individuals with limited hand strength.
- Eliminates the need for an additional mechanical appliance.
Cons:
- Only the blades are dishwasher safe.
- Limited to use with a KitchenAid Mixer.
Best Electric – HOMDOX Electric Slicers
If you are looking for a rotary cheese grater with push button operation, consider the HOMDOX Electric Slicer Shredder Grader. This electric model takes the manual labor out of the process of grating your own cheese. All you need to do is to plug the machine in, load your cheese in the hopper and press the button. The one-touch control design makes the process safe and easy. The HOMDOX Electric Slicer Shredder Grader comes with four stainless steel blades for grating, shredding and slicing that can be used for cheese, vegetables or nuts. This model is lightweight and compact so it does not take a lot of space for storage. All parts, except the mechanical base, are dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Easy push-button operation.
- Multi-function design.
- Does not take up a lot of space for storage.
- Most parts are dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- The hopper is smaller than some other models.
- Button has to be pressed for the motor to run.
Best Professional Grade Handheld – ZYLISS Rotary Cheese Grater
If you’ve ever had a waiter or waitress freshly grated cheese for you tableside at a restaurant, it was likely they were using a ZYLISS Rotary Cheese Grater. This restaurant grade cheese grater is a top pick for a handheld design in regards to quality, functionality, and durability for both industrial and home use. It comes with a fine drum for grating hard cheeses, chocolate, and nuts. The grating drum can be removed for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Constructed from durable plastic and stainless steel blade.
- Easy to use.
- Perfect for finely grated cheese.
- Blade can be separated for cleaning.
Cons:
- Only one blade option.
- Cheese needs to be cut into small chunks for grating.
- Requires manual hand strength.
Best Budget Friendly Handheld – IKEA Stralande Rotary Grater
If you want to grate your own cheese, but do not want to spend a lot of money, the IKEA Stralande Rotary Grater is a great pick at a great price. This handheld model comes with 2 interchangeable blades that produce either a course or fine shred. The blades are removable and dishwasher safe. Besides the price, the nice thing about this model is that the crank handle can be mounted for either right or left handed crank operation.
Pros:
- Comes with 2 blades.
- Designed for use for both right and left handed individuals.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Great Price.
Cons:
- Not as durable as some other handheld models.
- Cheese needs to be cut in small pieces.
- Requires manual hand strength for operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I purchase a rotary cheese grater?
When you buy packaged shredded cheese you are paying for the convenience, but you will be making compromises in taste and texture. When you purchase packaged shredded cheese you will also be paying more per ounce compared to if you were to shred your own cheese using a rotary cheese grater. Prepackaged shredded cheese contains additives and preservatives that help maintain the shredded consistency and texture while in the bag. These additives also contribute to the weight of the product, so you will actually be paying more per ounce for shredded cheese than a block of cheese that you can easily shred yourself with a rotary cheese grater.
How does a rotary cheese grater work?
All rotary cheese graters, whether manual or electric, have some type of hopper (the place where you insert the cheese so it can contact the blade). The cheese is pressed against the blade and rotated, which grates the cheese. Rotary cheese graters are designed with features so that your fingers do not come close to the blade when operating.
What kinds of cheese can I shred in a rotary cheese grater?
You can shred a wide variety of cheeses in a rotary cheese grater. Hard cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Asiago, or Canaria cheese can be easily shredded from block form using an electric or manual rotary cheese grater. Softer block cheeses, like mozzarella, feta or cheddar can also be shredded using a rotary cheese grater, but it is recommended that you prepare them by freezing them for at least twenty minutes before you shred them using a rotary cheese grater. This process firms up the cheeses and contributes to more uniform and efficient shredding for softer cheeses.
Things to look out for
Consider these things when looking for a rotary cheese grater so you will choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences:
Output
The hopper of a rotary cheese grater can accommodate different sizes of blocks of cheese. The larger the hopper, the less time you will spend reloading it. Electric models will make quicker work of shredding a higher volume, handheld models accommodate smaller blocks of cheese and are better for per serving use.
Operation
Manual rotary cheese graters take hand and arm strength to operate, which can be a challenge, especially if you are planning on grating lots of cheese or using your grater for grating or shredding other items like vegetables or nuts. Electric models are your best best for high capacity use, manual graters will be a good pick for occasional use.
Materials
Depending on how often and to what capacity you are planning on using your rotary cheese grater the materials it is made from make a difference. You should always look for stainless steel blades on a rotary cheese grater for both durability and ease of cleaning. The materials that the rest of grater is made from make a difference as well. Products made from metal or thicker plastic are going to be more durable and will be more solid, which will contribute to its functionality and ease of use.
Ease of Cleaning
The blades of a rotary cheese grater are the most difficult part of the device to clean. It helps if the grater blades can be disassembled from the unit, which makes it easier to clean. Some models and/or parts are dishwasher safe and others are not. The less contact you have with the blades, the less chance there will be for an unintentional injury. The blades of a rotary cheese grater are sharp.