I use a lot of nutmeg and ginger in cooking. I also do quite a bit of citrus zest, especially during the holiday seasons. I have had quite a few graters and zesters over the years, but none of them really thrilled me. That all changed when I received a gift from someone called the Microplane 40020 Grater/Zester. This long narrow little strip of metal with tiny little raised blades on it looked kind of silly to me, but it was a gift, so I just put it in my drawer and kind of forgot about it. One day my gourmet daughter pulled out the nutmeg and decided to use the Microplane to grate it. I was afraid since it was so sharp, but within minutes she had the best grated nutmeg I have ever seen. Then we began to test it out with other things and found it to be fantastic for ginger as well as citrus rind! This has gone from being a non-impressive gift to being one of the finest tools in our kitchen! We love it so much that we have purchased several others in various sizes over the years. Ease of Cleaning This is very easy to clean. I just run the Dobie or similar sponge the opposite way that the slats go on the non-sharp side and it cleans up well. We have had no problems with food getting caught in the blades or handle. The key is to clean it immediately after using so that nothing will dry and be harder to remove. Durability We have had this Microplane for quite a few years now, and have never had any problems with it dulling or not working. I do not run it in the dishwasher, however, which makes it stay sharp longer, I think. Design This is one of the most valuable tools in my kitchen. Ginger grating has never been so wonderful and fast, as well as nutmeg and citrus rinds. The important part is to keep the plastic sleeve in the drawer and put it back immediately when it is dry so that the blades don't get dull or ruined. This Microplane is very sharp so you also need to take care not to keep it where little hands will find it. If cared for and stored safely this wonderful tool can be one of the most valuable in the kitchen!

Caprig

Podunk, NY

I was excited to get this Microplane 40020 Grater/Zester because I have just gotten into watching all of the cool new cooking shows on the Food Network this past year. So what do they all have in common? They zest! The chefs zest so I must was my motto. Zesters have always intrigued me, and when I spotted this Microplane Grater/Zester super cheap online I bit! And then it decided to bite me back! LOL It's okay as a zester but a pain as a grater. In fact, after awhile I lost my zest for zesting and I forgot all about it in my drawer, it became more of a pain than a help in my kitchen. Ease of Cleaning Fairly easy to clean - I just would put it in the dishwasher and it cleans up nicely. Durability The construction of it was made very well, but after awhile it seemed to dull down. I ended up tossing mine out - I nearly never used it after awhile because it seemed like it became quite dull very fast. Design You must keep the plastic protector on it when you put it away, I threw my Microplane Grater/Zester in the dishwasher.  When I went to put the dishes away I grabbed my zester out not thinking...OUCH! Could be very dangerous if you have small children that like to grab spatulas, spoons and stir sticks from your drawers (like I do). I didn't use it as often as I could have, it creeped me out every time I used my Microplane Grater/Zester;I kept thinking I was going to slip and de-skin a few of my knuckles. So I've reverted back to the very dull potato peeler and purchasing pre grated everything! I'm so lazy or wimpy! LOL Either way, I am once again zester-less and the house is safe again for 4 year olds to roam.

KimMurray

Livonia, MI

I cook meals at home at least six days a week and enjoy reading cookbooks, cooking and baking. I couldn't get by a week without this zester. I use it for garlic, ginger, citrus zest, and hard cheeses the most. I bet it would be great to use to make your own horseradish!!! It's so easy to clean either by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher and a handy plastic cover is included for storage. I was storing it with the rest of my spoons and spatulas until the crock got so full that I could no longer pull out the microplane! I have since starting storing in a drawer and it's perfect. This is so nice to have in my kitchen so that I don't have to get out the box grater every time. The box grater can be a pain to clean. The grip on the microplane is perfect, fits my hand nicely, and never slips out of my hand. The plane has stayed sharp after 4 years of constant usage and is very affordable.

ajackson1

Roanoke, TX

I have been using a small zester for years and finally said enough is enough! I purchased this Microplane zester/grater and don't regret it at all and will never go back to my old one! I went from taking about 10 minutes to zest a lemon to just a minute or two. It is really effortless to use, and is super sharp so that it easily takes the zest off without too much work, leaving the pith behind. I have used my Microplane for both citrus and hard cheeses. It is amazing what a good kitchen utensil can do to speed up the process! The Microplane brand is a bit pricey compared to the other brands out there, but it is designed well, easy and comfortable to hold and worth every penny! It comes with a protective sleeve, which you'll probably want to keep it stored in because those little blades are sharp!

idaho8

Ogden, UT

I am not really a gadget person, and having limited kitchen space, I'm choosy about the kitchen items I buy. This came highly recommended by Cooks Illustrated, whom I trust immensely. I got it and it has not disappointed me. I use it for hard cheeses like parmesan, romano, etc., as well as for lemon zest and nutmeg. If I ever come across a recipe that calls for grated onion, I'll try this out on the onion, but I've yet to see a recipe calling for grated onion. The microplane is super sharp, but I have yet to be cut. I've rasped my fingers and knuckles more with the box grater than I have with the microplane. It doesn't take up much room at all to store, which is a huge plus, and it's very easy to clean. Now I can't even remember what I used to zest a lemon before I had this product! Get this, you won't be disappointed.

LKate

Locust Grove, GA

I don't know how many people know the history of this company, but they used to make printer parts and woodworking parts. So in a sense, you are using a carpenter's tool that got popular in recent decades as home cooks used it to grate stuff with, to the point where the company is probably getting more money from home cooks than from carpenters. This grater can be used to zest lemons/limes/oranges/etc., but it is more versatile than that. You can grate ginger, garlic, and other such spices and herbs. You can also grate cheese on it, though the grated cheese will be very fine, perhaps more fine than you might want. It all cleans up with some water and a sacrificial sponge, if you have a particularly difficult stain or something to remove from its sharp edges. In short, this is a very versatile tool to have around the kitchen, since it can perform so many functions.

milkysuds

Berkeley, CA

This is one of the best graters I've ever used. It's small, efficient, and very easy to handle. I typically use grater to grate Parmesans and other hard cheeses. The cheese comes out very nice. I like the design of this grater because it is long and thin. It's sleek shape allows you to put it in tight spaces or drawer where you might not have a lot for room. This products seems very durable and long lasting. I've had it for over a years and it's still pristine. I think the quality of the item offsets its cost which can be pricey. The only negative is that this product is not easy to wash. However, that is to be expected of graters. Overall, I like this grater a lot. It's easy to use and I use it a lot.

babybokchoy

Seattle, WA

It may seem silly to get excited over something as simple as a Microplane zester, but I simply can't help it. There have been too many disappointing gizmos and gadgets in my kitchen. This one works! It's a high quality product. I've used to to zest lemons for a deliciously light lemon chiffon cake. I've used it to finely mince ginger for a chicken karage marinade. For the cake it is essential to remove only the outer layer of the lemon zest, while leaving behind the bitter rind. For the chicken karage, it is useful to have the ginger cut into very small pieces to maximize the surface area for the brine. In each case this zester helps ensure that I am getting the most out of the ingredients. Clean up is a snap. I first rinse off any food particles with cold water then use a soap sponge to wipe down the zester. Be sure to only brush the zester in the opposite direction from actual use, less you zest your sponge!

JamieOliver

Philadelphia, PA

Honestly, when I received this as a gift, I mentally rolled my eyes - yet another gadget to take up space without being used, is what I thought.  How wrong I was!  This zester is perfect for grating whole spices and fresh ginger. You know that lovely aroma that wafts out of a fresh spice bottle?  There's something even better: the smell of fresh whole spices, grated on your microplane.  It's totally worth the little bit of time it takes to glide nutmeg over the microplane and watch the pile of aromatic spice grow.  Or fresh ginger: how often does it seem to be a pain to chop or grate?  The microplane zester makes it easy, even fun.  Keep a piece of gingerroot in the freezer for weeks, even months.  Pull it out when you need it, peel a section, and grate it in a few seconds on your Microplane.  Fantastic! My one recommendation is to clean the microplane immediately after use.  This is easily accomplished by running it under warm water.  If the food is allowed to harden, it's another story.  Take care of the microplane, and you will love it!

Ilaide

Reedsville, PA

After seeing the microplane grater used to grate onions on a kitchen show, I immediately wanted it.  I was frustrated with my traditional stand grater which I used for cheese.  I was also frustrated by my expensive "cooking party" lemon zester/grater because of its small size and short handle.  This microplane grater is fantastic.  I have used it for baked goods such as orange and lemon rinds and on cooking foods such as onions and hard cheeses. The handle is smooth and easy to grip yet substantial enough in size to provide stability.  The shape of the grater is perfect to use right over a mixing bowl, cooking pot or pan.  Like traditional graters, the top of the grater is sharp and should not be handled, but the underside is safe.  This makes it easy to turn it over and use your index finger to sweep any trapped bits into the bowl.  The grater washes easily by hand but also can be placed in the dishwasher.  My only caution is that the handle holds some water.  I heard water when I removed it from my dishwasher.  I was concerned that water was being trapped deep inside the handle which may cause mold/mildew.  However, I have found after shaking the water from the grater and turning it upside down for an hour, no water seems to remain.  I believe the water is only being trapped where the blade meets the handle, but I will be keeping my eye out for further problems.

phillandlil

Undisclosed