After Tested and Reviewed, This is the Best Cheese Grater of 2025

Things to Consider Before Buying a Cheese Grater

While a cheese grater may not be one of your largest investments, it's a kitchen tool you'll likely use frequently. Selecting a quality one that meets your needs can save you a lot of daily inconvenience.

It helps to think about how you’ll be using the grater most often: Do you eat more hard cheeses or soft ones? Do you plan to use a grater for other items, like shredding vegetables or grating chocolate for baking? For the most part, the box graters we tested performed better at hard cheese (and will handle things like carrots and zucchini well) while some other styles worked better for mozzarella. So if pizza-making is a regular thing in your home, that’s an important consideration to factor into your decision.

The size of the shreds can affect the texture of a dish as well. Most of the devices we tested had multiple options but not the same options: some had extremely fine grating surfaces (nice for a dusting of Parmesan) while others had slicers. Think about what functions you’re most likely to use. You’ll want to consider capacity as well. If you regularly cook for a large family (or are simply a cheese fanatic) you’re going to get frustrated with a rotary grater that only holds an ounce or two at a time.

Kitchens can be tough on graters, so finding one that’s durable and comfortable to use is also key. High-grade stainless steel blades will resist rust and stay sharp over time. Most of the graters tested were ergonomic in some fashion, but a comfortable grip can mean different things for different people, so if you can, try before you buy. Grating does require some elbow grease, so if you’re not up to that, have a condition such as arthritis, or just want to shred large amounts quickly, an option with some mechanical assist, like the KitchenAid shredder attachment, may be your best bet.

You can also consider the size of the grater and its aesthetic appeal if you’re short on storage space or plan to have it sitting out on a counter often.

How to Clean a Cheese Grater

How to clean a cheese grater is one of the eternal kitchen quandaries, as these tools famously shred any sponge that comes near them. While this cheese grater is dishwasher safe, the easiest way to clean a grater of any kind is with a stiff-bristled kitchen brush, some dish detergent, and water. Start by tapping the grater to knock any loose shreds off it. Take it to the sink and add soap because it evenly coats the cutting surfaces. Then brush in quick, short strokes with the bristled brush under cool running water (use hot and you risk melting the remaining shreds and making them more difficult to remove). This technique works just as well even if your grater was used for something other than cheese.