:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-box-graters-primary-rkilgore-0628-1-32e2264e8d3943b1b7a493a1b3dd72b4.jpeg?ssl=1 "The 4 Best Box Graters, Tested & Reviewed")
If you ask me, every kitchen needs a box grater. You can definitely grate things using attachments for your KitchenAid mixer or in a food processor, but a box grater is infinitely more convenient. You can just pull it out of your drawer or cabinet and throw it in the dishwasher when you’re done.
The must-have kitchen tool differs from a zester or a cheese grater in that it comes with multiple blade options and stands on its own. A box grater is great for your famous mac and cheese, which you only make during the holidays, or those potato latkes you’ve been working on for years. After two rounds of testing and mountains of cheese and potatoes, we’ve developed clear favorites. After testing seven models, we found the best box graters that perform well and will also last a long time.
Our Favorite Box Grater
The Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater is still our favorite grater after two rounds of testing. It has limited amounts of plastic and is very sharp, so much so that it feels commercial-grade.
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The Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater doesn’t feel very fancy, but what it lacks in features it makes up for in construction. This was one of the sturdiest box graters I tested, probably because it is mostly stainless steel with little plastic. The bottom is rubberized to reduce slipping during use.
I found this to be the strongest and therefore the best box grater for hard cheese and vegetables. It is easy to break those with a lot of plastic, and the Cuisipro’s all-metal construction gave me a lot of confidence during all sorts of prep. I also found it surprisingly comfortable in hand, even though the handle is partially metal rather than plastic. It’s a great choice for anyone, but it is also very sharp, so take care when using and storing it.
Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.75 x 10.5 inches | Size and feel: Sturdy, with a handle that’s comfortable to hold | Dishwasher safe: Handwashing recommended
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I was impressed with how well the Gorilla Grip grater performed for its price. It is large and lets me process large blocks of cheese quickly. The blades are also exceptionally sharp, so I didn’t need to apply excessive pressure while grating.
It comes with a container that securely attaches to the base to catch any ingredients you are prepping. It is especially helpful when grating watery vegetables, such as zucchini, so the liquid doesn’t go everywhere. The container also has measurements if you need to measure out grated ginger or another ingredient in a specific quantity. For everyday value and common uses, the Gorilla Grip is a great choice.
Dimensions: 5.25 x 6.5 x 10.3 inches | Size and feel: Large and solid without being heavy | Dishwasher safe: Yes
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I’ve owned the Microplane Specialty Series 4-Sided Box Grater for many years, and it feels like having several Microplane tools in one frame. I appreciate the variety and quality of the blades, and the plastic cover provided helps ensure little hands don’t get cut by sharp blades when they’re stored in our kitchen drawers. This was the only box grater with sufficient zesting capability, which aligns with the Microplane brand and its line of zesters.
A note: if you are hard on your things like I am, take care with any box grater with blades that sit inside a plastic housing, as they can fracture and eventually crack. I broke this once and had to replace it because I used cold Parmesan cheese one time too many. Other than that, I got many years of great use out of it and still find it better than the other, much pricier Microplane we tested.
Dimensions: 10.25 x 5.12 x 3.12 inches | Size and feel: Very sturdy without being overly bulky | Dishwasher safe: Yes
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It is hard not to like this box grater from KitchenAid thanks to its helpful design features and overall performance. The KitchenAid produced consistent shreds so the cheese melted evenly, and there was minimal clogging. The frame feels incredibly sturdy, and the handle is comfortable no matter how big the task is.
The storage container helps catch small bits of food that scatter, such as citrus or Parmesan cheese, and it has clear, easy-to-read measurements. There is a good variety of blades on this, and it was also easy to clean, especially when we throw it in the dishwasher. We didn’t notice any warping or dulling of the blades by doing so, which was another plus for this grater.
Dimensions: 5.25 x 6.5 x 10.3 inches | Size and feel: Large and solid without being heavy | Dishwasher safe: Yes
How We Tested Box Graters
- Design: The first test I perform, regardless of the product, is a physical and visual inspection. It was important to see which safety features, such as nonslip bases and sturdy feet, each box grater had. It was also important to assess how much each box grater flexed under pressure, since hard cheeses and vegetables require force.
- Performance: I grated large amounts of cheese, including Parmesan for carbonara and cheddar for mac and cheese. I tested various zesters with limes and lemons, but only the Microplane brand met my expectations. I grated cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan to assess sharpness and consistency. I shredded russet and sweet potatoes to evaluate efficiency and stability. I grated carrots and zucchini to test for clogging. I used the fine sides of the graters to zest citrus and determine the delicacy of the results.
- Care: I also looked at how much the graters retained food bits and whether any got stuck in the seams or elsewhere. Many can go in the dishwasher, but I recommend rinsing them with water and a stiff-bristle brush beforehand to dislodge any food. That way, you can ensure nothing gets stuck since cheese can get gluey. I also paid attention to how the box graters held up after washing and use to see if there was any warping or fracturing in the plastic.
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Factors to Consider
Ease of Use
It is crucial for a box grater to feel stable in the hand and also comfortable to use. A good handle with adequate cushioning is key when bearing down hard to grind things like hard cheese. We also looked for box graters with non-slip bases to improve safety, so they don’t slide when using sharp grating blades. We also looked at how much the frame bent during use. Some with more plastic felt like they could snap.
Shred Size and Blade Variety
Most box graters include coarse, medium, fine, and slicing sides. Some include zesters, though we recommend using a separate microplane for citrus for best results. Stamped blades are punched from metal, so they tear food slightly and dull more quickly. They’re durable and inexpensive, but not ideal for zesting or hard cheese. Etched blades are chemically sharpened (like Microplane blades), so they slice cleanly, stay sharper longer, and produce fluffy shreds and delicate citrus zest. They’re easier to use but usually cost more and can be fragile if mounted in plastic.
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Cleanup
We recommend looking for box graters with an etched blade, as testing shows they clog less. As you know, box graters can easily trap food, especially cheese, so we prefer a dishwasher-safe one. If you are concerned about the blades dulling, hand-washing your box grater is the best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the four sides of a box grater used for?
Most box graters have different graters on each side depending on the task. You can normally find a coarse side for potatoes and cheese, a medium side for vegetables like carrots, a fine side for cheeses like Parmesan or ginger, and then a slicing side for shredding things like cabbage or slicing cucumbers.
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How do you clean a box grater?
We always rinse the grate immediately so nothing sticks and dries, because certain ingredients, like potatoes, can act like cement. After you rinse, give it a once-over with a dish brush and then throw it in the dishwasher, assuming it is safe to do so per the manufacturer’s instructions. Most box graters we tested were dishwasher safe.
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Can you sharpen a box grater?
We do not recommend it, though you could technically have it done. We suggest purchasing a new one if that happens, though most of ours have lasted many years without performance issues.
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When should I use a zester in place of a box grater?
When I tested box graters, none of the models had zesting performance better than my handheld microplane — except, actually, the Microplane brand box graters.
Other Box Graters We Tested
Spring Chef Professional Box Grater ($19 at Amazon)
This box grater would have been a strong contender, but it arrived defective with a piece of something bouncing around in the handle. That doesn’t engender much confidence in the product’s longevity, despite its sharp graters and comfortable handle.
Microplane Elite Five Blade Box Grater ($55 at Amazon)
This was one of the most expensive box graters I tested, even more so than the other Microplane. Given the amount of plastic in its construction, I had concerns about its longevity since such a design can snap under too much pressure.
Urbanstrive Cheese Grater with Container Box ($10 at Amazon)
This box grater felt the cheapest of all of the models in hand. Its price felt in line with the quality of the construction. If you don’t want to spend more than $10, this is a good choice, but others performed better for just a few more bucks.
Our Expertise
Jennifer Zyman is Food & Wine’s Testing Editor, and her work focuses on finding the best new products for all sorts of cooks. She’s vetted hundreds of products, including side-by-side testing of essential kitchen gadgets like Bread Cloches, Nonstick Pans, Bread Boxes, and Dutch Ovens. She’s written about food and restaurants for over 15 years and is a proficient home cook with a culinary school degree, always on the hunt for the latest and greatest kitchen techniques, tricks, or tools.
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