Several years ago, I purchased my first Microplane Grater.  I thoroughly enjoyed using the Professional Coarse Grater.  With a sizable grating plane, it worked efficiently.  I used this kitchen tool at least daily, if not multiple times each day.  From grating cheese into a breakfast wrap to topping a lunch salad, this grater was the most used tool in our kitchen.

Besides being useful in grating our blocks of cheese, this tool had other benefits.  The grater was lightweight, making it easy to use for all of our household.  With only a single plane, it is quick to wash, as opposed to a box grater.  Its slender form allows for easy storage with the other handheld utensils.  No need to dig around the cupboards, like when I’m searching for the colander, it fits in a drawer next to the stove.

Unfortunately, with all of the usage, my Professional Coarse Grater broke, and I needed to buy a new grater.  When we went to the kitchen store to purchase a new grater, there were no Professional Graters available.  However, we did see the Gourmet Coarse Grater, which is a Microplane product, so we assumed it was a good choice.

After a month or two of use, I have mixed feelings about this.  What I don’t like about this grater is that it collects water in its handle when it is washed, whether being washed by hand or in the dishwasher.  Thankfully, I have discovered that if you remove the black plastic cover on the handle before washing, no water gets trapped inside.  Unfortunately, if the person washing dishes forgets to do that and you use the grater without removing the water, you will have water dripping onto your food.

I still appreciate the same features of the Gourmet Coarse Grater that I liked in the Professional Coarse Grater.  It grates cheese easily.  It is compact in size and still fits in the utensil drawer.  It is easy to wash.

While the Gourmet Coarse Grater continues to be the most used kitchen utensil, it has lost its favorite tool status due to the water issue.  I am certain that the next grater I buy will be a Microplane but not from the Gourmet line.