How to Clean a Microplane Cheese Grater

Microplane cheese graters are top-rated cheese graters due to their sharpness and ease of use. Microplane graters come in several different styles including a zester for hard cheese like parmesean and a ribbon grater for soft cheeses like blue cheese. However, these cheese graters can be difficult to clean. Cheese gets stuck in the holes and, when cleaning, the sharpness of the grater can rip a sponge or bristle brush apart. Cleaning improperly can also dull the grater over an extended period of time. With proper care, the Microplane cheese grater will remain sharp and clean. Does this Spark an idea?

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Dish soap Scrub brush Paper towel

Instructions

- 1
  
  Determine the direction of the "grain" on the grater grater. To determine this, take a block of cheese and run it down the cheese grater--this should run smooth or with the grain. When you pull the cheese back up it will be bumpy--or against the grain. When cleaning, wash "with the grain" or away from you when holding the handle of a Microplane cheese grater.
- 2
  
  Brush off loose bits of cheese using a dry paper towel. Brush lightly downward going with the grain. Avoid brushing upward (against the grain) as this will shred the paper towel.
- 3
  
  Soak the cheese grater in hot soapy water for 10 minutes. Ensure that the water is deep enough to cover the entire grater.
- 4
  
  Remove the cheese grater from the soapy water. With a scrub brush, brush the back side of the cheese grater going with the grain. Avoid running the scrub brush against the grain as the bristles will get stuck. After brushing the back side, brush the front side. Again, only brush in a motion going with the grain, never against it. Rinse away the soapy water.
- 5
  
  Set the cheese grater on a towel to let air dry. After two hours the cheese grater should be dry. Place it back in the case or covering.

Tips & Warnings

If the cheese is extremely stuck, grate a raw potato on the grater to loosen the bits of cheese.
Microplane cheese graters are extremely sharp. Never run your fingers against the cheese grater.

Suggest item

Microplane Website

Comments

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