Microplane 48310 Ginger Tool 3in1 Grate Peel Slice Stainless steel / White / Grey

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The easiest way to peel ginger is to use a spoon. Just scrape the ginger root with the side edge of the spoon to remove the skin. Not only does this leave the flesh intact, but it’s easier to work around the knobby bits and safer to maneuver than a sharp knife. It really works best with very plump and juicy ginger. It needs lots of moisture to push the ginger pulp out from the fibrous shreds and into the trough. I tried using a slightly sub-par root that was lurking in my produce drawer and it turned into an unusable tangle with all the goodness tied up in the shreds. (The Microplanes, however, could still make good use of that older knob.) First made in 1991, the Microplane grater has a sharp edge carved into each of its teeth using a chemical process called photo-etching, which makes for a series of tiny blades that can slice off very even bits of just about anything. (No, really, anything: The Microplane was first sold as a woodworking tool that produces easy-to-collect shreds instead of sawdust. It didn’t catch on among cooks until a few years later.) This is a really durable item and will last a long time if you keep it clean and dry—I’m still using the same one I bought when I was setting up my first apartment well over 10 years ago. These little tools are up for most any job in the kitchen that involves, grating, zesting, shaving, and shredding, from making perfectly shaved nibs of chocolate for toppings to grating the finest pieces of citrus zest to go into those baked goods you're making.

The box grater's classic design hasn’t changed much at all in a century or more. It’s one of the most multifunctional tools in the kitchen, with a different size of slicing or shredding on each of its four sides. You might use one to get evenly sliced potato chips, cheddar for a grilled cheese sandwich, shredded carrots and cabbage for creamy coleslaw, and thin-grated onions atop a hot dog—potentially all in the same meal. A box cutter is used in a stationary position, typically on a cutting board. The weakness of box graters in general is that they’re awkward to use in tight spaces. It’s tough to hold one over a hot stove while you grate, and the large opening at the bottom makes it hard to grate accurately over an individual plate, soup bowl, or drinking glass. This particular model is also one of the more expensive box graters out there—but on the other hand, it’ll last for years and years and is still not a huge investment compared to most other kitchen implements. Another tool to try is a Microplane grater. A Microplane with larger holes will create small flakes of fresh ginger; one with smaller holes will create more of a ginger paste with lots of the fibrous strings left behind. In testing, we gave this a chance to grate parmesan cheese, but that’s not what the star-shaped grating surface is made for. This did a good job chewing through super-hard whole nutmeg, and the small storage space at the top could be handy for storing nutmeg in between uses. While this could be used in an emergency to grate other foods, it’s best to think of this as the nutmeg grater, and let it do what it’s best at.

While hand washing is preferred, we ran this through the dishwasher multiple times during testing with no ill effects. Displaying unique contemporary designs with functional yet practical applications we are big fans of the cut-resistant glove, pizza cutter and the brilliant Elite Box Grater. Frequently Asked Questions Microplane is the original manufacturer of photo-etched culinary tools. The tiny razor-like cutting edges cut food without tearing or shredding preserving the food’s aroma and flavour. Microplane creates precise, razor-sharp teeth utilising their signature chemical etching process. We’re using “Microplane” to refer to the brand’s best-known, original product—the classic grater—but the Microplane brand now also makes a variety of kitchen tools, ironically including box graters.)Based in Russellville, Arkansas, USA, Microplane has distinguished itself from other brands by using a signature, single-sided photo-etching technology to create long-lasting, sharp cutting edges. In addition, they use the same highest-quality stainless steel that is used for medical supplies. Unlike stamped, punched or double-sided etched graters, the teeth are pushed up to create a perfect cutting angle. They perform like extremely sharp knives to cut ingredients with precision rather than shredding or tearing. So without much pressure or effort, food gently slides along the cutting surface to produce flawless results every time. These days most recipes featuring ginger are developed using a rasp-style grater, which produces fluffy bits rather than a puree. The puree is more concentrated because it doesn’t have tiny bits of fiber in the mix. So with ceramic graters there’s a risk of using too much ginger in recipes (though admittedly that’s not really a bad thing in my book). This can also be used for veggies or coconut when you want to add flavor, but not a lot of texture to your soups or smoothies. This cheese grater from Microplane features surgical-grade stainless steel blades and is dishwasher safe. Alternatively, you can use a potato peeler to remove the skin, though it is tedious due to the knobs and crevices that get in the way. A paring knife is easier to use, though you’ll end up slicing away parts of the flesh that could otherwise be used. How to Grate Ginger

If you enjoy cooking and baking, and adding those extra-special touches and flavors, these tools are a no-brainer to keep around. They save you time and effort in helping make delicious meals and desserts and get you out of the kitchen faster to enjoy eating them, too. It takes about three times longer to grate 1-inch of ginger on a ceramic grater than a rasp grater. I would cry if I had to use it to grate large amounts. A microplane grater is small and sleek grater. It works just like a traditional grater, except its holes are smaller—micro, you could say. (Get it?) Normally, on one end is a long, thin piece of metal covered in tiny holes with sharp, slightly raised edges. The other end has a handle made of plastic or rubber. Is a microplane grater better than a grater?Reaching into a drawer can sometimes lead to unexpected cuts when there's a zester or grater in there. Some of these tools have covers that go over them to protect your hands—and potentially your little ones' hands. Decide if this is an important feature for you when selecting one.