Why is a good cheese grater worth it?
A good grater lets you shave cheese from the block just before you cook, so you choose how fine it is and can use hard cheeses such as parmesan straight from the block. Pick the tool by the job: a Microplane rasp for parmesan and zest, a box grater for everyday blocks of cheddar and mozzarella.
Not every grater is the same shape, and a blunt one turns grating into hard work. This guide sorts eight Amazon AU cards by the job they do. The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is a long, flat zester/grater for hard cheese and citrus. The OXO, Amazon Basics, Cuisipro and Joseph Joseph are box graters, the Avanti is a table top drum grater with a hand crank, the BOSKA is a flat handheld and the Zyliss is a rotary grater. Each card shows the rating and count its listing gave.
Quick answer: which cheese grater should you buy?
The best cheese grater in Australia for most kitchens is the Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater, rated 4.8 from 11,106 ratings on Amazon AU. It grates parmesan into fluffy mounds and takes the rind off citrus. If you want one tool that also shreds and slices, choose the OXO Good Grips Box Grater instead.
Among the box graters, the Cuisipro 4 Sided Stainless Steel Kitchen Box Grater shows 4.7 from 3,697 ratings, the OXO shows 4.6 from 7,495 ratings and the Amazon Basics 4 Sided Box Grater shows 4.6 from 4,654 ratings. Each of these suits shredding a block of cheese, which the fine Microplane does not do as quickly.
The table lists the eight cards with the type of grater, the job each suits and the rating and count its listing showed. Each card section below gives the detail and the quotes behind it.
| Grater | Type | Best for | Rating |
|---|
| Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater | Rasp | Parmesan and citrus zest | 4.8 (11,106) |
| OXO Good Grips Box Grater | Box, 4 surfaces with catcher | Coarse, medium, fine and slicing | 4.6 (7,495) |
| Amazon Basics 4 Sided Box Grater | Box, 4 sides | Plain box grater with a non slip base | 4.6 (4,654) |
| Cuisipro 4 Sided Stainless Steel Kitchen Box Grater | Box, 4 blades | Coarse to ultra coarse and slicing | 4.7 (3,697) |
| Avanti Table Top Drum Grater | Drum, hand crank | Table top with a suction base | 4.5 (304) |
| BOSKA Copenhagen Grater | Flat handheld | Semi hard and hard cheese | 4.5 (603) |
| Zyliss E900011 All Cheese Rotary Grater | Rotary | Fine or coarse drum blades | 4.1 (979) |
| Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip Box Grater | Box, food grip | Pinching smaller items and gripping larger ones | 4.4 (210) |
Which of the eight graters has the highest rating?
The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater has the highest rating at 4.8 from 11,106 ratings on Amazon AU. The Cuisipro follows at 4.7, the OXO and Amazon Basics show 4.6, the Avanti and BOSKA 4.5, the Joseph Joseph 4.4 and the Zyliss 4.1.
By rating count the order is the Microplane with 11,106, the OXO with 7,495, the Amazon Basics with 4,654, the Cuisipro with 3,697, the Zyliss with 979, the BOSKA with 603, the Avanti with 304 and the Joseph Joseph with 210. A rating from 210 ratings rests on fewer reviews than one from 11,106, so read the counts alongside the stars.
How we chose these cheese graters
We used two sources: the Amazon AU listing for each grater and the makers' own bullet points and product information on those listings. We research and compare listings rather than run a physical lab.
Reviewer lines on this page come from the review text saved with each listing, and each is attributed to one reviewer. Claims made by a maker, such as the Microplane product description line about professional kitchens, are marked as the maker's own words.
Last checked: 23 October 2026.
Here is how we narrowed the field for this guide:
- We started with the cheese graters sold on Amazon Australia and sorted them by the job they do: rasp, box, drum, flat handheld and rotary.
- We took the rating and the rating count for each card from its listing, and every number in the text equals what that listing showed.
- We read each title, bullet list and product information table for blade, material, size and care. Where a listing gives one measure two ways, we name both or drop the figure, and where we quote a reviewer from a listing we say so.
- We sorted picks by use case and name one overall pick, because the right grater for parmesan and zest is not the same as the right grater for a kilo of cheddar for lasagne.
- We checked every spec, the blade material, the number of sides, the dimensions and whether it is dishwasher safe, against the actual product listing so nothing is guessed.
Best overall: Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater
The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is the best overall pick in this guide: rated 4.8 from 11,106 ratings on Amazon AU, the highest rating and the most ratings of the eight cards. Its bullets describe ultra sharp photo etched blades, made in the USA per the listing, that grate parmesan into fluffy mounds that melt quickly. Pair it with fresh pasta from one of our pasta maker comparison picks.
Beyond cheese, the bullets say the blade has a specific tooth set that takes the flavorful rind directly off citrus fruit while leaving the bitter white pith behind, and that zest adds flavor to vinaigrettes, stir fries, salads and baked goods. The A+ text says the zester will grate hard spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The handle is BPA free plastic. The bullets say the tool can go in the dishwasher, and that a rinse straight after use, with a kitchen brush on the underside of the blade, clears tough to reach particles. The product information table gives 12cm long and 57 grams.
The A+ text says Microplane is all about the blade, with over 25 years of USA manufactured etched ultra sharp blades, and that the zester will also zest citruses like oranges, limes and lemons. It suggests trying it with hard cheese as the topping for any dish with parmesan or Asiago cheese. The bullets add that the surgical grade stainless steel stays rust free and maintains sharpness over time, and that true stainless steel is magnetic, so the item can be hung on a magnetic knife strip. They also suggest sprinkling fresh parmesan over eggs, salads or any dish for a burst of flavor.
One reviewer on the listing wrote that it produces fine curls of zest from citrus with no pith and does a wonderful job of grating hard cheeses. The product description says the Microplane is the standard for sharp, efficient grating and zesting in both home and professional kitchens, which is the maker's own claim. Just be clear on what it is: a fine zester/grater for hard cheese and citrus, not a box grater for shredding a block of cheddar.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This is a fine grater, not a coarse shredder, so it is slow going if you need a big pile of grated cheddar or mozzarella for lasagne, where a box grater is quicker. It does one job well rather than several, so many kitchens will want it alongside a box grater rather than instead of one.
Best cheese grater for parmesan
The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is the pick for parmesan. Its listing says it grates parmesan into fluffy mounds that melt quickly, using photo etched blades made in the USA. The fine side of a box grater also works if you already own one, but the long fine blade of a rasp is made for hard cheese.
A rasp grater, such as the Microplane, is a long flat blade with fine etched teeth for hard cheese, citrus zest and spices. For a whole block of cheddar, use a box grater instead.
How does a rasp compare with a box grater for parmesan?
A rasp gives one fine cut, while a box grater gives a choice of surfaces. The Microplane bullets say it grates parmesan into fluffy mounds, the OXO lists coarse, medium and fine grating plus slicing, and the Cuisipro lists coarse, fine, ultra coarse and slicer blades. For parmesan on pasta, the fine rasp is the more direct tool.
Who is the Microplane for?
The Microplane 40020 suits a cook who finishes dishes with hard cheese or citrus zest. The bullets name vinaigrettes, stir fries, salads and baked goods for zest, and rustic bowls of pasta, eggs and salads for parmesan. It is 12cm long per the product table, which also gives a manufacturer warranty of 1 Year.
OXO Good Grips Box Grater: four surfaces and a catcher
The OXO Good Grips Box Grater is rated 4.6 from 7,495 ratings on Amazon AU, the second most ratings of the eight cards. Its bullets call it a versatile four way grater with four stainless steel surfaces: two wide ones for coarse and medium grating and two slimmer ones for fine grating and slicing. That covers jobs a single Microplane does not, such as shredding a block and slicing.
The standout feature is the catcher. The bullets describe a convenient catcher/container that has a non slip base, measurement markings and a clear lid, and say you can grate on a plate, cutting board or directly into the container. They also say the grater catches and stores grated bits, and that the soft and comfortable handle ensures a secure grip even when hands are wet.
The listing gives its size two ways. The bullets say it measures 30cm x 11cm x 7.5cm, while the product information table gives 30L x 11.5W x 7.5H centimetres, so the length and height agree and the width reads 11cm in the bullets and 11.5cm in the table. For a household that grates cheese often and also shreds carrot or slices a cucumber, four surfaces and a catcher in one tool is the draw.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The product information table answers the dishwasher question with Yes, although the bullets give no dishwasher line. The catcher adds a second part to keep with the grater, but the A+ text says the container can be inverted inside the grater for easy, compact storage, and it describes a non slip base on both the grater and container, so the main limit is simply having two parts to look after.
Who it suits: a cook who wants four surfaces for coarse, medium and fine grating and slicing, plus a catcher with measurement markings and a clear lid, in one tool.
Amazon Basics 4 Sided Box Grater: a plain box grater
The Amazon Basics 4 Sided Box Grater is rated 4.6 from 4,654 ratings on Amazon AU. Its title calls it a cheese grater with a non slip base, previously sold under the AmazonCommercial brand, and its bullets describe heavy duty 18/0 stainless steel (95%), shredding holes on 4 sides for cheese, vegetables, chocolate and more, a stainless steel handle and a black TPE (5%) base that keeps the grater in place.
The bullets say it is dishwasher safe for quick cleanup. The title gives 22.8 cm and the product information table gives 0.22 Kilograms. One reviewer on the listing wrote that the silicon base is removable, so easier to clean and dry, while the bullets describe the base as black TPE material, so we call it a non slip base. The same reviewer also wrote that it leaves the Microplane box grater for dead.
This is a plain four sided box grater: stainless steel, a non slip base and nothing else to store. Its bullets list no catch container like the OXO, so grated cheese stays inside the box until you tip it out. If you want a catcher with measurement markings, the OXO above describes one.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
One reviewer wrote that it is so high it only just sits upright in the large drawer they use to keep pots, so check your storage height. The bullets list no measuring container, so it tips out rather than stores. The bullets do not describe a removable base, so treat that reviewer point as one person's report.
Who it suits: someone who wants a plain stainless steel box grater with shredding holes on 4 sides, a non slip base and dishwasher safe cleaning, and does not need a catcher. The title gives 22.8 cm and the product table gives 0.22 Kilograms.
Cuisipro 4 Sided Stainless Steel Kitchen Box Grater: Surface Glide blades
The Cuisipro 4 Sided Stainless Steel Kitchen Box Grater is rated 4.7 from 3,697 ratings on Amazon AU, the second highest rating of the eight cards behind the Microplane. Its bullets list coarse, fine, ultra coarse and slicer blades, and describe Surface Glide Technology: an etched stainless steel surface that reduces resistance and enhances grating performance.
The bullets add an ergonomic non slip handle that is soft touch for a secure grip, and a protective non slip base, described as a sturdy rubber base that keeps the grater in place and helps protect surfaces from scratches. The base is removable for thorough cleaning. The bullets say dishwasher safe (top rack only), while the product information table answers the dishwasher question with No, so the listing gives two answers. The product information table gives 13.5L x 10W x 24H centimetres.
Who it suits: a cook who wants a four sided box grater with an etched surface and a rubber base, and will read the care instructions first, because the bullets say top rack only while the product table says No to dishwasher safe. The bullets list blades for everything from hard cheeses to vegetables and chocolate. For a box grater with a catcher, look at the OXO above; for a plain four sided box, the Amazon Basics.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The bullets say dishwasher safe (top rack only) while the product information table says No, and the base is removable, so there are two parts to look after. The bullets list no catch container.
Avanti Table Top Drum Grater: hand crank with a suction base
The Avanti Table Top Drum Grater is rated 4.5 from 304 ratings on Amazon AU. Its bullets list 3 interchangeable stainless steel drum blades, an easy to use hand crank mechanism, an angled dispenser that reduces clogging and a powerful suction base that adheres to smooth, non porous work surfaces. The listing text adds a food pusher that keeps fingers away from the blades.
The A+ text says the three stainless steel drum blades deliver fine grating, coarse grating/shredding and slicing, and that the drum blades switch out for easy cleaning. The bullets say all pieces are detachable for cleaning and that it is dishwasher safe. The product information table gives a weight of 770 Grams.
A crank drum grater is a different shape from a box grater: you feed food against the drum and turn the handle, so it is a bigger tool to store than a flat grater. Choose it if keeping fingers away from the blades matters to you, and set it on a clean, smooth, non porous bench, as the bullets say the suction base adheres to those surfaces.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The bullets say the suction base adheres to smooth, non porous work surfaces, so a textured or porous bench is not a fit. It has more parts to wash than a simple box grater, though the bullets say all pieces are detachable and it is dishwasher safe. For grating a small amount over one plate, a flat grater is quicker to grab.
Who it suits: someone who wants a table top drum grater with 3 interchangeable drum blades for fine grating, coarse grating and slicing, and a food pusher that the A+ text says keeps fingers away from the blades. The product table gives 770 Grams, so it is a heavier tool than a flat handheld such as the BOSKA at 0.05 Kilograms.
Boska Copenhagen Grater: a flat handheld
On 23 October 2026 this listing was sold by Amazon US with the notice that US imports may differ from local products. The BOSKA Copenhagen Grater is rated 4.5 from 603 ratings. Its title calls it a Manual Handheld cheese grater, and its bullets say it suits semi hard and hard cheese, citrus fruits, carrots and other hard vegetables.
The bullets add that the inside of the handle is hollow, that the grater stays sharp even after repeatedly being washed in the dishwasher, and that BOSKA offers a 10 year warranty. The listing page also carries the line that manufacturer warranty may not apply but you may have other rights under law. The product information table gives 17.8L x 7.7W x 1.5H centimetres and 0.05 Kilograms. There is no box to fill: you hold it over the plate and grate.
Think of it as a handheld for grating a small amount over a finished dish without dragging out a box grater. The title and bullets describe a single flat grater, not a box with coarse, fine and slicing surfaces like the OXO, so for a whole block of cheese for a bake a four sided box is the better tool.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It is a single flat grater, so it lacks the surfaces of a box grater. The table gives 0.05 Kilograms and the bullets describe no base, so you hold it steady yourself rather than relying on a non slip base.
Who it suits: someone who wants a flat manual handheld for semi hard and hard cheese, citrus fruits and carrots, with the dishwasher and 10 year warranty lines that the bullets state. The product table gives it a weight of 0.05 Kilograms and a length of 17.8 centimetres.
Zyliss E900011 All Cheese Rotary Grater: a rotary option
On 23 October 2026 this listing was sold by Amazon US with the notice that US imports may differ from local products. The Zyliss E900011 All Cheese Rotary Grater is rated 4.1 from 979 ratings, the lowest rating of the eight cards, so we keep it as another option rather than a headline pick. Its title calls it a rotary grater with a handle.
The bullets list acid etched stainless steel blades, two changeable drum blades for fine or coarse grating (although the A+ comparison table lists Interchangeable Multi-Blades as No for the E900011, so the listing gives two answers on the blades), an ergonomic soft touch handle designed to work smoothly and with little pressure, a folding handle for compact storage that is suitable for left or right handed use, and a 5 year guarantee, and say it is dishwasher safe. The listing page also carries the line that manufacturer warranty may not apply but you may have other rights under law. The product information table gives 7.5L x 20.8W x 15.3H centimetres and 0.25 Kilograms.
Rotary or drum: when is it the right grater?
A rotary or drum grater suits you if you like turning a drum blade instead of dragging food across a flat face. The Zyliss bullets list two changeable drum blades, though its A+ comparison table lists Interchangeable Multi-Blades as No, and the Avanti lists 3 interchangeable drum blades with a hand crank.
For a quick sprinkle over one plate, a flat handheld is quicker to grab.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
At 4.1 it has the lowest rating of the eight cards. Its bullets say two changeable drum blades while its A+ comparison table lists Interchangeable Multi-Blades as No, so check what comes in the box before counting on a second drum. A drum design also has more parts to wash than a one piece grater, though the bullets say it is dishwasher safe.
Who it suits: a cook who wants a rotary grater with a folding handle that the bullets say suits left or right handed use, and who will confirm the blades first, as the bullets list two changeable drum blades for fine or coarse grating while the A+ comparison table lists Interchangeable Multi-Blades as No. Choose a box grater instead if you want slicing surfaces or a catcher.
Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip Box Grater: a built in food grip
The Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip Box Grater is rated 4.4 from 210 ratings on Amazon AU. Its bullets list a precision food grip that lets you pinch smaller items and grip larger items, four sharp stainless steel blades for grating and slicing, an ergonomic handle and non slip base, and a handy collecting base with measurements.
The bullets say the food grip clips into the top and the base stores up inside the grater after use. The title says dishwasher safe. The product information table gives 12.2L x 9.8W x 17H centimetres.
One reviewer on the listing wrote that the yellow gripper is not practical and not strong enough to keep food in hold position while grating, so the grip is the part to think about before you buy. If a food grip for smaller pieces is the feature you want, read the reviews on the listing; if you want a catcher with a plain design, look at the OXO.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The bullets list a food grip that clips into the top, so there is an extra part to keep with the grater. The title says dishwasher safe and the bullets list no separate care line for the collecting base, so check the care instructions on the box.
Who it suits: someone who wants a four blade box grater with a food grip for smaller and larger items and a collecting base with measurements, and who will read the reviews on the listing about the grip before buying.
Best cheese grater for block cheese and mozzarella?
For a whole block of cheddar or mozzarella, a box grater is the better shape. The Amazon Basics bullets list shredding holes on 4 sides for cheese, vegetables and chocolate, and the Cuisipro lists coarse and ultra coarse blades. The Microplane is a fine grater, so it is slower for a big pile of cheese.
If you want the shreds caught as you go, the OXO bullets describe a catcher with measurement markings and say you can grate directly into the container, and the Joseph Joseph bullets list a collecting base with measurements. A soft cheese such as mozzarella grates more cleanly after a short time in the freezer.
Which graters list a warranty or guarantee?
These three cards state a warranty or guarantee length: the Microplane product table gives a manufacturer warranty of 1 Year, the BOSKA bullets state a 10 year warranty, and the Zyliss bullets say it is guaranteed for 5 years. Warranty terms differ, so read each listing before you buy.
The BOSKA and Zyliss listing pages also carry the line that manufacturer warranty may not apply but you may have other rights under law, so treat the length as the maker's statement on the listing.
What should you look for in a cheese grater?
Match the grater to the cheese and the job. A rasp suits hard cheese and zest, a box grater covers shredding and slicing, and a drum grater such as the Avanti lists 3 interchangeable drum blades, and the Zyliss rotary gives two answers on its blades, so read its section.
Then check the blade material, a non slip base, how easily it cleans and where it will be stored.
Which materials and handles do the eight listings describe?
Every one of the eight listings names stainless steel. The Microplane lists surgical grade stainless steel with a BPA free plastic handle, the Amazon Basics lists 18/0 stainless steel (95%) with a stainless steel handle, and the Zyliss lists acid etched stainless steel blades in a stainless steel and plastic build.
The Cuisipro lists an etched stainless steel surface, a soft touch handle and a sturdy rubber base. The OXO lists a soft and comfortable handle, the Joseph Joseph an ergonomic handle and non slip base, and the BOSKA a stainless steel grater with a hollow handle. The Avanti lists stainless steel drum blades with a hand crank and a suction base.
Which grater suits which job?
Match the job to the shape: the Microplane for parmesan and zest, the OXO for a catcher and four surfaces, the Amazon Basics for a plain four sided box, the Cuisipro for coarse to slicer blades, the Avanti and Zyliss for drum blades, the BOSKA for a flat handheld and the Joseph Joseph for a food grip.
For dicing and slicing vegetables rather than grating cheese, our best vegetable choppers in Australia guide compares seven manual choppers.
What type of grater do you actually need?
There are four common styles. A box grater has several sides for coarse and fine grating plus slicing. A Microplane rasp is a long fine blade for hard cheese and zest. A rotary grater turns a drum blade, and a table top drum grater such as the Avanti adds a hand crank.
Many cooks own a box grater and a rasp, because together they cover everything from shredding a block to zesting a lemon. On the Avanti listing, the A+ text says a food pusher keeps fingers away from the blades. For vegetables, the Amazon Basics bullets list cheese, vegetables and chocolate, and the BOSKA bullets list carrots and other hard vegetables.
How sharp and what material are the blades?
Blade sharpness decides how hard you have to press. Look for stainless steel blades. The Microplane lists photo etched blades and the Cuisipro lists an etched stainless steel surface that reduces resistance. A blunt grater makes you press harder, which is tiring.
Does it have a non slip base and a comfortable handle?
A grater that slides around the bench is frustrating, and a hard block makes it worse. Several listings here describe a non slip base: the OXO container, the Amazon Basics TPE base, the Cuisipro rubber base and the Joseph Joseph base. The Avanti uses a suction base, and the BOSKA bullets describe no base.
Is it easy to clean and store?
Every listing says dishwasher safe somewhere: the OXO only in its product table, and the Cuisipro in its bullets (top rack only) while its table says No. Rinse a grater straight after use so cheese does not dry in the holes, a point the Microplane bullets make too. For storage, check the size figures in each card section.
Care lines by card: the Microplane bullets say it can also be placed in the dishwasher, the Amazon Basics bullets say dishwasher safe, the Avanti bullets say all pieces are detachable and it is dishwasher safe, the BOSKA bullets say it stays sharp after repeated dishwasher washing, the Zyliss bullets say dishwasher safe, and the Joseph Joseph title says dishwasher safe.
Two cards need a closer read. The OXO bullets give no care line, but its product information table answers the dishwasher question with Yes. The Cuisipro bullets say dishwasher safe (top rack only), while its product information table answers the same question with No, so that listing gives two answers.
How big are these graters and how much do they weigh?
Size matters for drawers and shelves, and the listings give very different sizes. The product tables give the Microplane 12L x 1.3W x 1H centimetres and 57 Grams, the BOSKA 17.8L x 7.7W x 1.5H centimetres and 0.05 Kilograms, and the Joseph Joseph 12.2L x 9.8W x 17H centimetres.
The OXO bullets say 30cm x 11cm x 7.5cm, while the Cuisipro table gives 13.5L x 10W x 24H centimetres. The Zyliss table gives 7.5L x 20.8W x 15.3H centimetres and 0.25 Kilograms, the Amazon Basics title gives 22.8 cm and its table 0.22 Kilograms, and the Avanti table gives 770 Grams. Check these figures against your drawer or shelf before you choose.
What to use instead of a cheese grater?
A vegetable peeler gives parmesan style shavings, a food processor with the shredding disc handles larger amounts, and a sharp knife turns a thinly sliced block into matchsticks. A mandoline gives shavings and a fork works on soft cheese such as feta. Chill the cheese first so it holds its shape.
In more detail: run a vegetable peeler down the edge of a block for shavings; fit the shredding disc to a food processor for a bigger batch; slice the block thin with a decent chef's knife, stack the slices and cut them into matchsticks; or use a mandoline on its thinnest setting for shavings rather than shreds. A fork is for soft cheese only, dragged across the surface of something like feta.
Chilling helps with every one of these tools. A cold block holds its shape where a warm one smears, and a soft cheese such as mozzarella is easier to grate after a short time in the freezer.
Cheese grater questions people actually ask
What is the pointy side of a box grater for?
The small raised spikes on a box grater are for hard, dry things that a slot would only push around, such as whole nutmeg, ginger, garlic, chocolate and very hard cheese. They shred rather than slice, so the result comes out powdery instead of stringy. Many households never use that side.
Can you zest a lemon with a cheese grater?
You can zest a lemon on the finest side of a box grater, but a rasp is built for it. The Microplane listing says its blade takes the flavorful rind off citrus and leaves the bitter white pith behind. If you zest often, that is the tool to buy.
How to grate Parmesan cheese with a grater?
Use the finest surface you have and short, firm strokes. Parmesan is dry and hard, so a rasp or the fine side of a box grater suits it better than the coarse side. Grate it straight over the plate. The Microplane listing says its blade grates parmesan into fluffy mounds.
Can you shred lettuce with a cheese grater?
No, and it will not end well. Lettuce is mostly water, so a grater bruises it into a wet pulp instead of shredding it. Roll the leaves into a cigar and cut across them with a sharp knife, which keeps the leaf crisp.
Which cheese graters last a lifetime?
Look for etched blades, full stainless construction and a stated warranty. The Microplane listing says its blades are photo etched and its product information gives a manufacturer warranty of 1 year. Other cards give their own guarantee lines in their sections, so check each listing before you buy.
Do you need more than one cheese grater?
Two cover almost everyone. A four sided box grater does the bulk work such as cheddar, carrot and potato, and a rasp does the fine work such as parmesan and zest. The Microplane and the OXO in this guide are the pair we would buy, and the other cards are variations on those two shapes.
Those two tools are shaped differently because the jobs are different: a box grater shreds, a rasp shaves.
A practical pairing from the listings: the Microplane 40020 for parmesan and zest, and a box grater for blocks of cheddar and vegetables. The OXO lists four surfaces and a catcher, and the Cuisipro lists coarse, fine, ultra coarse and slicer blades, so either covers the box grater side.
How do you care for a cheese grater so it lasts?
A grater rewards a little routine. Rinse it under hot water as soon as you finish, before cheese dries into the holes. For stubborn bits, a stiff dish brush worked across the back of the blades clears them better than a sponge. Check each listing care line, as the Cuisipro bullets and product table disagree.
Dry the grater after washing so water does not sit in the seams, and store it where the blades will not rub against other tools. Where a card has a removable base, as the Cuisipro bullets describe, take it off to clean and dry both parts.
How do you keep your fingers clear of the blades?
Slow down as the block gets small, keep your fingers flat and behind the blade, and stop before the last sliver. Keep fingers clear of the blades near the end of a block. A non slip base helps because the tool stays put, and the Avanti A+ text says its food pusher keeps fingers away from the blades.
What else will you want alongside a cheese grater?
A grater is one tool in a well set kitchen. A flat handheld grater earns its place at the table rather than in the drawer, which is why it pairs with a cheese board more than with the prep gear. These pair naturally with it and round out the prep drawer:
- A cheese knife set for cutting wedges and crumbly cheeses before you grate or serve.
- A block of hard cheese such as parmesan, which the Microplane listing says it grates into fluffy mounds.
- Airtight storage containers for grated cheese in the fridge.
- Microfibre kitchen cloths for wiping the bench and drying the grater.
- A cut resistant glove for the end of a block, in case you prefer your fingers covered.
- A solid chopping board to grate over and to rest the cheese on while you work.
- A stiff dish brush for clearing dried cheese out of the grater holes after use, as the Microplane bullets suggest with a kitchen brush on the underside of the blade.
Electric cheese graters and shredders
All eight cards are hand operated: none of the eight titles or bullets mentions a motor or power. We did not add electric shredders, so this guide cannot say how any electric model performs. If you want to shred by machine, a food processor with a shredding disc is a different tool, and our best food processors in Australia guide covers them.
The closest this guide gets to a machine is a drum grater. The Zyliss is a rotary grater with a folding handle, and the Avanti Table Top Drum Grater adds a hand crank and a suction base, but both are hand operated. If you specifically want a rotary or drum action, start with those two.
What this guide leaves out
This guide leaves out cheese slicers, vegetable only graters and electric shredders, and it does not run lab tests. It compares what the Amazon AU listings state for the eight cards, plus the rating and count each one shows. The four things to take from it: how many grating surfaces a grater has, whether the blades are etched, whether it has a non slip base, and whether there is a catcher.
Frequently asked questions about cheese graters
What is the best cheese grater on the market?
In this guide the Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is the best overall pick, rated 4.8 from 11,106 ratings on Amazon AU. It suits hard cheese and citrus zest. For one tool that shreds, slices and catches, the OXO Good Grips Box Grater, rated 4.6 from 7,495 ratings, is the all round alternative.
Which type of grater is best?
It depends on the job. A rasp such as the Microplane suits parmesan and zest, a box grater covers shredding, slicing and everyday blocks, and a rotary or drum grater turns a drum blade by handle or crank. Many kitchens do well with one box grater and one rasp.
What kind of grater do chefs use?
We have not surveyed chefs, so we report what the listing says. The Microplane 40020 listing says the Microplane is the standard for sharp, efficient grating and zesting in both home and professional kitchens. It is a fine rasp, so for shredding a whole block a box grater is quicker.
What is the best grater for grating Parmesan cheese?
The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is the pick for parmesan. Its listing says it grates parmesan into fluffy mounds that melt quickly, using photo etched blades made in the USA. The fine side of a box grater also works if you already own one, but the long fine blade of a rasp is made for hard cheese.
Are rotary graters worth it?
A rotary grater is worth it if you grate a lot and like the drum action. The Zyliss E900011 listing describes acid etched blades, a folding handle and a 5 year guarantee, and it is rated 4.1 from 979 ratings, the lowest of the eight cards. For occasional grating, a box grater is simpler.
Which cheese is best for grating?
Hard, dry cheeses such as parmesan suit a rasp, which shaves them fine. Semi hard cheeses such as cheddar suit a box grater, and the BOSKA bullets say it suits semi hard and hard cheese. Soft cheese such as mozzarella grates more cleanly after a short time in the freezer.
What are the best brands of graters?
The brands on our cards are Microplane, OXO, Amazon Basics, Cuisipro, Avanti, BOSKA, Zyliss and Joseph Joseph. Microplane has the highest rating of the eight at 4.8 from 11,106 ratings, and Cuisipro follows at 4.7 from 3,697. Each card shows the rating and count its listing gave.
Build out the rest of your kitchen
A cheese grater is one small piece of a working kitchen. If you are setting up a first home, these NestPath guides cover the tools that earn their place on the bench:
About the author
Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first home buyer process. NestPath focuses on Australian first home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au
