Customer Reviews

Microplane 38000 Professional Coarse Grater

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second Microplane grater that I have purchased (actually I purchased the extra coarse version), but the only 1 of the 2 that I would give a 5* rating to. The other grater was from the standard line not the professional line. With many kitchen items there are no significant differences between the two, but in this case it definitely matters!

All Microplane graters use the same basic technology for cutting -- technology which was originally developed for the woodworking industry but that has adapted for exceptional service in the kitchen as well. The razor sharp laser cut grating head will make quick & easy work of cheese grating or citrus zesting (if you have the proper size). I would suggest when choosing a size of grater that you choose 1 size larger as the sizing tends to run on the small size.

Now, what makes the professional so much better? Well, the standard line has 3 major/minor flaws: 1) the easy-grip rubber handle tends to capture water when washed, 2) the plastic molded frame holding the grating surface cracks when washed in the dishwasher, & 3) the head is so incredibly sharp that it must be kept covered, yet there is no easy way to due this except for the original tagboard cover.

The professional version fixes all of these issues. As you can see, the frame and handle are all stainless steel which eliminates issues #1 & #2 and the professional version comes with a nice snap-on plastic cover to protect the sharp head surface. In addition, the rubberized rest on the top of this version can come in very handy.

End result: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Much better than the "home series" grater, which cracks and deposits small pieces of plastic in your food.
This is also quite a bit more money and it should last many, many years. I purchased the "coarse" type, but I would describe it as medium. It's too fine for most vegetables like carrots, and will work only with the hardest of cheeses. I would buy the Microplane Professional Extra Coarse Grater if I could do it again. Too bad there isn't some type of side-by-side comparison or scale to judge by.

When my food processor quit working, I replaced it with a set of Microplane graters (the 35000 series). At the time I placed my order, I didn't know about Microplane's professional graters (the 38000 series). However, after using them, I was so impressed that I sent the 35000 series to my daughter and ordered the professional 38000 series for myself.

I do a lot of cooking, so I know these graters are going to get a lot of use. I'm in no mood to buy another food processor, as I rarely used the one I had and a food processor takes up a lot of valuable kitchen storage space. The Microplane graters, on the other hand, fit neatly inside a drawer and have protective covers on them.

I'm giving the 38000 series graters a 5-star rating because they're better quality than the 35000 series graters and look like they'll last longer. They are very sharp and do an extremely effective job. I especially appreciate the sliding hand guard. I very seriously doubt I'd use a tool as sharp as this without something to protect my hands.

I was thrilled to discover the Professional series of Microplane graters, as they only cost a few bucks more, yet deliver a better product that is made to last.

The Coarse Grater is very easy to hold, its teeth are sharp, and the grater performs well with minimal effort. Best of all, it is SO easy to clean. Food doesn't get stuck anywhere, and all I use is a little brush (mine is a veggie brush, since it's handy, and the bristles just happen to be the right length and stiffness) to quickly remove the grated food from the teeth.

I'd highly recommend this product, as well as the other products in the Professional line (also bought Extra Coarse Grater). If you don't yet have any of the Microplane graters, look for the one that sells four (4) to a set.

From the regular line (black plastic handle), I also have the Zester and Extra Fine Grater, both of which are excellent products, as well.

These Microplane graters are wonderful, and I only recommend the Professional versions. If you use your graters a lot, the plastic edges of the cheaper versions will eventually break, so spend the extra few dollars and get this steel edged Professional version to start with. I just replaced two plastic edged graters myself because they broke within nine months.

I have bought and compared 3 series of microplane products. They are 1. professional 2. premium 3. classic.
Here is what I found.

They are all using the same blade-made in USA but assembled in Mexico.

The designs differ. Professional is more auqare like many graters we have used from before. It is not super eye catching. The premium and classic series has that long lean body that everyone recognizes easily to be super special to microplane.

Furthermore,Premium and classic series come with plastic handles and several reviewers complain they broke if you are too forceful. The professional series are made of all stainless steel all over.

Also, the premium and the classic series differ in two things. First, at the end where it stands on the counter top, the premium comes with two tiny plastic foot, you cannot see front the pic, but they are there while the classic does not. It protects the surface of either your countertop or your mixer bowl. If you use the classic series, you might scratch the surface it comes in contact with and the classic might be easier to slip too. Second, the plastic handle is sturdier in the premium series than the classics. Other than these two, they are basically the same design.


At the end, my sturdiness ranking is 1. professional 2. premium 2. classic.
my attractiveness of its outlook ranking is 1. premium 2. classic 3. professional.
But the attractiveness is more subject to individual taste than sturdiness ranking.

My final decision is to keep the professional series made of all stainless steel for my friend who care less about the look and for me, I will stay with the premium series and its color handles. I will make sure to be super careful and not use too much force.

I bought this grater for parmesan and pecorino cheese thinking it would be easy to grate but it did not do the job; there was a lot of resistance. My old regular box greater worked better. It is good for citrus rinds ,if you want some coarser grind than the longer stick grater does. I olso tried to grate dry bread ( I make my own crumbs )and it woked great . Maybe I won't need to use the food processor anymore.

Have had this grater for a couple weeks now and have used it to grate hard cheeses,(ie.parmesan, romano, etc) and it's been perfecto every time. The size of the grating is just right, the blades are very sharp and cut clean, and clean up is a breeze. Haven't used it to zest anything yet but I'm sure that I won't be disappointed. If you're looking for a desent grater then this is it.

A grater is one of those devices that is so simple that would think that they are all the same. The Microplane Professional is such a wonderfully designed and made device that the chore of grating becomes a joy. My wife was looking for more hard cheese in the kitchen just to be able to grate more! The only negative we can say about this product is a user warning. The grater does not descriminate between food and your hand. Be careful what you rub against it because it will come out in little bits on the other side.

Glad I got the stainless pro series as a friend has one of the plastic handle ones and it is pretty much toast after 3 months of heavy use.

This is just right for most kitchen chores. A little too course for zesting but the Microplane Professional Patented Design Fine Spice Grater is for that. Makes nice sized pieces for salads cakes etc and for melting in hot chocolate. You can even do weird things like grate Ghirardelli Chocolate Assorted Squares Chocolates Gift Bag, 80 pcs. to make different flavored sauces or hot chocolates. Nice for carrots, dakon radish or regular radish etc.

BTW with this it isn't necessary to have the chocolate at just the right temperature it can be chilled (still works best with the temperature between 65 and 75F depending on the chocolate). For fancy curls the Norpro Chocolate/Truffle Shaver 7.25-in. works much better; although, those of us classically trained will use a knife.

BTW these are well packaged with the plastic cover acting as part of the package.