As we focus on restocking the pantry and making sure we have adequate kitchen tools, this question from Rachel is very timely.
I really love your site, and I've been inspired to use more fresh food in my cooking. I decided it would be cool to buy whole spices and grate my own, as I use nutmeg in practically everything! So then I figured I needed a Microplane grater, and was astounded when I went to buy one and realised there's a hundred different sorts for different things. OK, maybe not a hundred, but there were ones for zest, ones for spices, ones for cheese, ones for chocolate. My head almost exploded. Do I really need a different one for different things?
They weren't cheap, around AUS$50, so I don't really want to have to buy 3 or 4 of them. I didn't think it would be this hard!!
Welcome to the world of specialized kitchen tools, Rachel! Yes, Microplane has really diversified its line of graters lately, but we find that we only use one or two with any regularity. They make fabulous graters, though; I really do recommend them over a generic lemon zester or grater.
If you want a grater just for nutmeg and other spices, then Microplane's spice grater does work very well. I have it and until I received a dedicated nutmeg grater (love!!) I used this nearly every day. It works equally well for nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Spice Grater, $9.95 US at Microplane
This is a small, curved grater, though, and it really doesn't work as well for citrus zest or cheese — the other two things that I use my Microplane for most frequently. If you want a truly dedicated nutmeg grater, there is also the Grate-N-Shake (pictured above).
• Grate-N-Shake, $9.95 US at Microplane
Both of those tools, though, are more single-use and specialized. If I had to choose just one Microplane, I would choose the original fine rasp grater. This is almost never put away in the drawer in my kitchen; it's in use or in the sink. I use it for lemon zest and hard cheeses daily. It grates a little rough for nutmeg, but it would do.
• Zester/Grater, $12.95 US at Microplane
One last suggestion: the all-in-one box grater. Microplane released a box grater that has several popular grating surfaces in one. It is bulkier and takes up more room, of course, but if you want an all-in-one grater this might be a good option. You can see what our readers say about it in the post below.
• Hot or Not? Microplane Box Grater
Readers? More advice for Rachel...?
Related: Wanting: Peugeot Nutmeg Mill
(Images: Williams-Sonoma and Cook's Warehouse)
I would also recommend the original zester/grater to start- it works well for hard cheeses, chocolate, nutmeg and citrus zest. Also, it's shape allows you to grate upside down and more easily eyeball how much you have grated, without flying everywhere. After a couple years, I invested in the next size up of flat Microplane grater and recently I got the specialized yellow citrus Microplane grater (which also does strips and ribbons of peel) as a gift.
If Rachel really uses nutmeg that mch, one of those handy nutmeg graters with a crank on top (I see them at coffee shops) might be handy because it actually doubles as the storage vessel for the whole nutmeg.
xo
another rachel
view Rachelino's profile
I use the zester/grater for spices (nutmeg, cinnamon) and I've been very happy with it. I also use it for zesting citrus, grating hard cheeses and grating chocolate.
view LauraII's profile
I just can't part with my box grater, it's 4-in-1! I even returned my micro-plane that I had briefly.
view Squirrely's profile
I'm with Squirrely. I've had the Microplane Zester/Grater going on two years and found it annoying both to use (small surface area) and to clean. Since I picked up the 4-in-1 box grater, I've been throwing cheese, zest, and nutmeg into my cooking like there's no tomorrow. The rubber grips ease my fear of accidentally grating myself and the removable plate makes it totally easy to clean. I'll probably end up freecycling the old one.
view EasilyAmused's profile
box graters are the best; however, if you're really only grating nutmeg, then why not get the best tool for that particular task?
view partyshark's profile
I have one awesome microplane (with zest holder) from lee valley: http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=32458&cat=2,40733,44734
It's the classic, original wood rasp style and I use it for hard cheeses (like parmesan), chocolate, zesting citrus, hard spices (like nutmeg), fresh ginger, and garlic.
Why oh why do people think they need more than one?? That's the beauty of the microplane, one tool for many uses. The variations are just a money-grubbing scam in my opinion and will only clutter your kitchen.
view angorian's profile
I use only one microplane for everything, also the original wood rasp style like angorian's. I have no trouble cleaning it if I just rinse it in hot water immediately. I do still have my old box grater, but I use that only for carrots now.
view Joan A.'s profile
My vote's for the Zester/Grater -- it's the only one in my kitchen, and I use it for pretty much everything (nutmeg, zest, ginger), unless I have to grate a whole huge block of cheese. Then I bust out a box grater, but it never works as well.
view lz256's profile
I have the zester/grater and I use it 90% of the times only with parmesan, so I don't wash it. It pretty common in Italy really, not to wash the cheese grater every time. I only wash it when it gets smeared with other ingredients or when I want to zest a lemon. I also have a coarser one for carrots and apples and soft cheeses, and these two are enough.
view Sol's profile
For nutmeg, I like a dedicated microplane so that I'm not constantly washing it. I have a little tiny key chain one that I got years ago, and it lives right in a round spice tin with the nutmegs. I've had friends go so crazy for "that nutmeg setup" that I had to start giving them as gifts.
I can't find the keychain ones anymore, but here's a cool substitute:
http://us.microplane.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=42
For everything else that requires a microplane, I have several but use the paddle handle coarse grater most often.
http://us.microplane.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=48
view splatgirl's profile
OH! Found it!
http://us.microplane.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=137
view splatgirl's profile
Angorian - I'm with you. But I'm a bit biased - Lee Valley is located in my hometown. :)
view ChzPlz's profile
Thanks for this. A microplane was the one tool I decided I needed during this cure. I'm off to Lee Valley tomorrow!
view Mama Ark's profile
An alternative for a microplane nutmeg grater is a porcelain ginger grater. Not only is it wonderful for ginger and nutmeg, you can use it to grate chocolate and parmesan in a pinch. Also, it's really easy to clean.
view Mlle. Cara's profile
I vote for the Microplane--I can taste the white lemon pith a mile away, but with the Microplane rasp I just get what I want, the colored zest. If I see zest on a dish at your average restaurant I don't order it because a lot of kitchens use the generic graters. I use the Microplane for Parmesan and zest and have ground nutmeg. My two cents.
view JD523's profile