Rachael Ray Box Grater With Drawer

The 8 Best Box Graters in 2021

Shred your cheese with the greatest of ease

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Looking to make some nachos or mac and cheese? What about some grilled cheese sandwiches? Whatever cozy, warming recipes you're looking to whip up, cheese can almost certainly improve them. And, while you can buy pre-shredded cheese, of course, it's generally fresher and tastier if you grate your own.

There are plenty of worthwhile cheese graters out there, but we love box graters for many reasons, including their increased stability and range of functions—most have several options for different types of shreds and grates that can also be used for other culinary tasks such as zesting citrus or slicing veggies.

We scoured the internet to find the best box graters, from the bang-for-the-buck options to the extra-accessorized to the best for kids. Make sure you have plenty of cheese ready because you'll actually be excited to grate it with these best box graters. Here, the best box graters.

Our Top Picks

Though etched graters are pricier, they result in sharper, more precise tools.

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It has features that make it easy to use, such as a top handle and stainless steel construction to keep it rust-free.

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If you're looking for a grater that can accomplish anything, this is the one.

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A rubber base keeps it from slipping and there's an easy-to-grip Santoprene handle on top for extra stability.

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Part microplane, part box grater, this set makes grating as easy as storing.

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This clever box grater, another OXO product, includes a medium grater, coarse grater, slicer, and removable zester.

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If you're low-maintenance on the types of grates you need, this is a solid option.

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With Shredder's bust atop the grater, shredding, grating, and slicing are fun.

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Cuisipro 4-Sided Boxed Grater

Though the Cuisipro is among the most expensive options on this list, it also boasts the best design. First of all, it's what's called an etched grater (as opposed to a stamped). Though etched are pricier, they result in sharper, more precise tools. Plus, the Cuisipro graters exclusively have what's called Surface Glide Technology, which reduces friction and increases the surface area of each blade, meaning each stroke results in more grated cheese, veggies, or whatever else you happen to be working with.

There's even a bonus ginger grater base for shredding ginger without getting those little strings in the mix. Just note that you should be extra careful when using this grater because it will grate your hand just as easily as it will grate that block of aged cheese. This grater is stainless steel and should be hand washed.

ikea-idealisk-grater

On the opposite end of the price spectrum is the IKEA IDEALISK box grater. It's not the sharpest or the best designed (especially when it comes to grating harder veggies), but it will absolutely get the job done. Plus, it has features that do make it easy to use, such as a top handle and stainless steel construction to keep things rust-free. It's dishwasher safe and incredibly budget friendly. Perfect for college students, newlyweds, folks on a budget, or anyone looking to get a solid kitchen tool for minimal cost.

THETIS Home 6-Sided Kitchen Box Grater

This grater does it all. With it, you can zest or shred finely (great for garlic cloves and cheese to top pasta with); slice fruit and veggies such as apples, cucumbers, potatoes, etc.; do medium or coarse shreds; or make an arc or square slice. Some of this, of course, could also be accomplished with some pro-level knife skills, but if you'd rather have a grater do the work for you, this is an excellent option. It also comes with a rubber handle and rubber base and is technically dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing is recommended if you have the time. It's on the larger side of the grater options (not surprising, given the hexagonal shape), but if you're looking for a grater that can accomplish anything, this is the one!

salt-9-inch-grater

The SALT 9-Inch Stainless Steel 4-Sided Grater is both budget-friendly and well-designed. It has a rubber base to keep from slipping and an easy-to-grip Santoprene handle on top for extra stability. It's also crafted from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe on the top rack. The bottom rubber can be taken off for cleaning and may give you a bit of trouble as you're putting it back on, but that's the biggest potential problem you'll have with this one. It's a very solid grater, especially for the price.

OXO Good Grips Complete Grate & Slice Set

Part microplane, part box grater, this set makes grating as easy as storing. The set comes with four surfaces, one each for coarse grating, medium grating, straight slicing, and julienne slicing. The container includes non-slip feet, a comfortable handle for gripping, and a tined food holder. The transparent, 2-cup capacity lid holds the surfaces when not in use and also catches your cheese, veggies, or whatever else you're grating or slicing. The surfaces are color-coded, and the whole thing is top-rack dishwasher safe. This is sturdy and reliable, but even if you experience any trouble, OXO has a "Better Guarantee," meaning that it will repair or replace products with issues.

OXO Etched Box Grater With Removable Zester

This clever box grater, another OXO product, includes a medium grater, coarse grater, slicer, and removable zester. That's right, removable! You can choose to use it directly on the grater if you prefer, but if you just need a quick lemon zested into a bowl or onto a surface, you can remove the zester and use it at your convenience.

This grater also comes with a container, storable inside the grater, which conveniently catches and measures anything you happen to be grating. Said container also comes with a lid if you're pre-grating something that you want to store in your fridge. The grater's surfaces are etched (sharper!), plus has the things we like about other graters—a grippable handle and a nonstick base.

Qlux Small Kitchen Cheese Grater

This tiny grater is 5.3 inches long, 3.7 inches tall, and 2.4 inches wide, making it a great fit for small kitchens with limited drawer or cupboard space. While it only comes with one surface (i.e. not as many options as your typical box grater), it does offer enhanced stability over other styles. If you're low-maintenance on the types of grates you need and just want something small that can do some sort of grating, this is a solid option.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder Cheese Grater

Cartoon lovers of all ages will love this officially licensed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder Cheese Grater. If you are not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, this may seem like a strange theme. If you are, you'll know that there's a villain on the show named "Shredder," and doesn't that seem like a great opportunity to make a cheese grater? With Shredder's bust atop the grater, shredding, grating, and slicing are fun.

Final Verdict

We recommend the Cuisipro 4-Sided Boxed Grater for its unbeatable efficiency, but those on a budget should consider the IKEA IDEALISK, which gets the job done at a low price.

What to look for in box graters

Performance

Most box graters have four sides, and four blades. How sharp are they? How many sides does it have—and what's the function of those blades? Some of them come with other built-in functionalities, such as zesting. If you want the biggest bang for your buck, you probably will be into a multi-tasking box grater. But regardless of the design, the product should reliably perform. Are the cuts uniform? Does it clog up easily, requiring you to fish your hand in there and scoop things out or scrape fine Parmesan shreds off the grater itself?

Stability

Your grip on the box grater is going to play a part in its stability. The handle and the base are important to consider—as much as the surface upon which the grater rests as you're doing the work. Does it feel sturdy, or does it slip, bend, or easily dent when met with a veggie or block of cheese that's harder than expected?

Care

Box graters can be tricky and a little dangerous to clean, so if you are worried about how to wash it or that you might injure yourself, seek one out that can be put in the dishwasher. Others cannot be put into the dishwasher, so you'll need to clean those carefully with a dishwashing brush—skip the sponge, it'll just shred it to pieces.

FAQs

What are box graters good for?

Box graters are great for shredding all kinds of cheeses, from softer cheddars and Monterey Jack to harder, aged cheeses such as Parmesan. You can use them for veggies such as beets, zucchini, carrots, and potatoes, to add to things such as slaws, latkes, quick breads, and more. Make large curls of foods,

Do box graters get dull?

Box graters don't exactly have blades, per se, so they don't get dull in the way that a knife gets dull. They work because their holes, or teeth, poke outward. Over time, those teeth can flatten with repeated use. Some graters come with protectors to cover the holes when not in use—it's as much to protect you from accidentally brushing against it as it is to protect those holes from scraping against objects in your drawer or cabinet and wearing out too quickly.

When should I replace my box grater?

Box graters are efficient when they are sharp, but after years of regular use, the edges tend to wear down. If you find you're struggling to shred cheese or hard veggies, it's probably time for a new one.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Writer and professional cheese eater Christine Clark teaches cheese and pairing classes throughout the United States and is dedicated to helping people expertly get their cheese fix. Her cheese adoration is so strong that she has a whole podcast dedicated to it. She is a Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society.

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