Graters & Zesters
Graters and zesters are handheld tools for shredding cheese and vegetables or removing fine citrus zest, used across cafe, pub and hotel kitchens for everything from garnishing to bulk grating for toppings. Stainless steel construction is standard for durability and dishwasher safety, with box graters offering multiple hole sizes for coarse to fine grating, while a fine microplane-style zester is built specifically for citrus and hard cheese. The main buying consideration is blade/hole size against the ingredient: coarse for cheese and veg, fine for zest and hard cheeses like parmesan.
Key specifications
Graters and zesters are matched to the ingredient by blade or hole grade. Box graters carry several surfaces in one tool — coarse and fine shredding plus a slicing face — and stand upright for stable bulk grating of cheese and vegetables. Flat or paddle graters are more compact to store but usually offer one or two grades, while fine microplane-style zesters are built specifically for citrus peel and hard cheeses like parmesan. Rotary drum graters speed up high-volume cheese work at the pass. Stainless steel blades and frames are the commercial standard for edge retention and dishwasher safety. The main buying check is grade against task: coarse for cheese and vegetable toppings, fine for zest and finishing. Used across café, pub, hotel and restaurant kitchens.
Graters & Zesters — FAQs
What’s the difference between a grater and a zester?
A grater typically has multiple hole sizes for shredding cheese, vegetables and coarser ingredients, while a zester (often a microplane-style tool) has very fine blades designed specifically for citrus peel and hard cheese.
Are box graters or flat graters better for a commercial kitchen?
Box graters offer multiple grating surfaces in one tool and stand upright for easier bulk grating, while flat graters are more compact for storage but usually only offer one or two hole sizes.