At the top of the list of kitchen tools we despise washing by hand, a box grater is for sure in the top five. It's not that we're incapable of getting the job done — we're just not very fond of it. When we just need a little cheese, and not a whole block's worth, we skip the box grater and use this tool instead. Can you tell what it is?
A zester! It allows enough of the cheese to pass through without mushing it to death and it is a quick, simple way to leave the box grater in the cupboard for now. It's also a great thing to use on chocolate, frozen butter, even harder fruits like apple and pear. Use it once and you'll suddenly see all sorts of ways to put it to work in your kitchen!
Although it's almost impossible to photograph yourself using it without looking like a circus ape, it's a good thing, especially in the case of these mashed potatoes that needed a little something extra. If you happen to have a microplaner or handheld grater with larger holes, then you won't have the same need we did in our kitchen, but either way, you won't have to worry about scraping your knuckles against the grater ever again! Perfect!
What tools in your kitchen pull double duty? Let us know below!
Related: The Top 10 Most Useful Kitchen Gadgets
(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)
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I actually just got a tip from Cooks Illustrated today for cleaning the box grater after having grated cheese. It recommended grating a leftover piece of stale bread through it (same to clean a meat grinder). The bread will push out the cheese. Then it is much easier to wash. So they say anyway, I haven't had the chance to test this theory yet.
I use a veggie peeler for small amounts of cheese (or chocolate or any garnish). The result is long, thin strips that look pretty too! I think it works better than the zester, which sort of mashes and grates.
I also use my vegetable peeler. Easy and much simpler to wash!
huh....
I guess I don't really find my box grater difficult to wash (?) Couple backwards swipes with the scrubby sponge/soap and a good rinse on the inside and mine's usually good and clean!
I appreciate the variety though-very cool.
We have a few microplane graters, and they wash up easily, by hand or in the dishwasher. We only get the ikea box-lid grater out when we're making a big pan of mac & cheese or other recipes that need a large volume of cheese.
The zester would drive me crazy! Seriously, it's not that hard to clean a box grater.
I surprisingly don't have a box grater - only hand held verieties (although I often wish I had one when grating a lot of cheese! Need to at that to my shopping list...).
I use a veg peeler as others have mentioned too. I love having "peels" of Parmesan on my pastas and salads!
I agree with the other posters - my box grater simply goes in the dishwasher or if it won't fit (too many dishes in there already) then a couple of scrubs with warm soapy water and the thing is clean.