Hot or Not? Fold Flat Grater from Joseph Joseph

We just spotted this Fold Flat Grater from Joseph Joseph in CHOW's holiday gift guide, and we thought it would make the ideal Hot or Not. On the surface of it, this is a HOT. Folds flat? Space saver? Check. But does the flat-folding-space-saving benefit make up for the two sides of grating functionality that are lost? You decide!

We can't decide if we think this is hot or not. On the one hand, it seems like drawer space might be better given to two flat Microplanes, one coarse and one fine.

On the other hand, we really like our box grater (bulky as it is). The Microplane is a little difficult to use for some things that need more leverage; you kind of want to be able to stand it upright and lean on it, and we always manage to tip over bowls and plates while trying to stabilize the Microplane. So maybe this would be a great tool in a little kitchen with no room for a traditional box grater.

What do you think? (Also, check out the CHOW winter gift guide; it has some fun stuff on it!)

• Find it! Joseph Joseph Fold Flat Space Saving Kitchen Grater, $19.96 at Amazon. Comes in white, black, green, and red.

(Images: Joseph Joseph)

Comments (16)

I think it looks pretty neat, although I'm not sure about that handle. Cheese might pile up on top of your hand and also not be contained within the box.

Oh my goodness! This is an amazing looking tool, I could actually fit it in a drawer!

I think it looks interesting but I can just see it collapsing at an inopportune moment. I use my box grater for things that require some force and squashing my left hand while trying to grate with my right would really suck.

The two lost sides of the box grater are no loss at all to me though. I never use them.

Meh. It's neat, but I worry about it breaking, folding in on itself and grating my fingers. I'm still using the box grater I got at Dollar Tree several years ago, which has all four sides and cost $1.

I'm using a two sided one that hinges at the top - opens out for use and folds flat for storing. Easy to clean. Rubber feet so it doesn't scratch. comfortable handle at the top.

I only ever use two sides of the grater anyway, so the others are no loss.

With all that plastic, it looks incredibly flimsy.

I had one like this, the hinge broke after about 6 months. I liked that it folded flat though.

I hang everything on a pegboard; this would actually take up MORE space than my box grater.

I'm leery of anything made of plastic. Plastic tends to collect food oils, stain quickly and break before long. I have yet to find a grater with holes close enought together to shredded carrots well and not tip over the bowl. Metal seems more durable and washable.

It looks like it would break easily.

That handle totally look uncomfortable to me.

I have something similar and trust me, eventually the plastic will break and then you're through.

I need things that can store flat for cooking on our boat--this is just the right sort of tool. And I don't use the other two sides anyway.

I don't really like box graters anyway, but this one looks particularly awkward.

Ooh I travel a lot and bring cooking tools when I know I'll have an oven or even just a stove. This would be perfect for taking along!

I have an Oxo folding grater that I love! The fold is at the top and it has a nice big easy to hold handle, and it fits flat in my drawer. This doesn't seem as sturdy as that one.