Graters cut cheese into small, thin slivers which are perfect for garnishing a variety of dishes. The increased surface area allows cheese to melt more quickly in dishes such as nachos and lasagna. Traditionally, these small pieces of cheese were created by the use of a hand-held grater. A repetitive motion, gliding a block of cheese across the grater's surface, was required to shred the cheese.

However, many found this method to be tiring and eventually painful to the hands when the task was performed repeatedly or over a long period of time. This unfortunate circumstance may hinder cooks from performing their best work. An electric cheese grater takes much of the labor out of the task, without compromising the quality of the resulting cheese pieces.

This kitchen appliance is a great help to those who prepare meals that involve the grating of food frequently. It saves on preparation time, allowing the cook to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Electric cheese graters, as a time saving option, are preferable to the alternative of buying pre-grated cheese. This is because the resulting cheese shreds will be fresher and thus retain more of their flavor. Any cook who takes pride in her cooking wishes to have the freshest, most flavorful ingredients in her recipes.

Choosing the Right One

Choosing the right electric cheese grater is like any other purchase. It is important to shop around for the best price, read customer reviews where available, and ask others for recommendations. Friends, especially those who cook, may be able to recommend an electric cheese grater that will suit you. However, it is essential to be clear about your specific needs, such as how you will be using the appliance and what you hope to achieve with it.

Electric cheese graters range from the very small to the very large (and expensive) restaurant grade. Purchasing one that is not sufficient for your projects is just as wasteful as choosing one with functions you have no use for.

A popular option for the typical domestic cook is the cordless electric cheese grater variety because it provides the convenience of an electric cheese grater, with the ease of movement that would not be possible if the cook were constrained by the limits of an electrical cord. When choosing a cordless version, bear in mind that rechargeable units typically have stronger and more consistent power, while battery operated models are best only for small jobs or soft cheese.