Box grater vs flat grater?

Slinky_Malinky

Hi all,

I want to invest in a really good grater but can`t decide between the box style or a flat one with container beneath......

http://www.headcook.co.uk/gefu-deluxe-4-way-box-grater.html

http://www.headcook.co.uk/gefu-raspini-grater-slicer-with-four-blades.html

I will be using it mostly to slice or grate vegetables for salads and soups ( and possibly cakes when I get the Harry Eastwood book). I do have a Magimix but it is not worth getting it dirty for a bit of grated carrot when making lunch for one person. I will be buying online so I can`t get to see them before I buy and I am not sure whether an up and down action is preferable to a side to side one for prepping the veggies ( hope that makes sense lol) I have had several cheap and nasty flat graters but have never used a box style.

What style do you all use/prefer?

Thanks in advance,
Slinky

Mankysteve

Flat all the way sooo much easier to clean.

PasturesNew

The Hairy Bikers, Mums Know Best, did a cheese grater contest to see which method was quickest. In their very unscientific fun test the box grater came out best.

Personally, I hate all graters .... but I'd choose a flat one that came with its own container/lid over a box grater. It's not just the style, it's altered by the actual one you buy and your own personal style (or cack-handedness) at grating anything.

flubberyzing

I've always used a box grater, just because that's what my mum uses!

floss2

We have a box grater, and also a flat-with-container one from IKEA. It depends what you are grating I guess - if its something that is all going into your cooking, use the box grater over a plate or board. If you won't use all of the grated food, use a container one & put the lid onto it.

Simples!

seraphina

All I manage to make with box graters is a mess - like floss2 I have a flat grater-with-a-container from Ikea that contains the mess and has a lid to replace the grater bit if you want to stick it in the fridge.

ubamother

I'm a box grater fan for cheese, I find it harder to get a good grip on the flat type or the type with a collector-box bit, where I have a rugged top handle on my box grater I can push down on to counter the grating pressure. (Much easier to do than to describe!)

LJM

i have both but the box grater for me comes out tops saves on mess and i have a lid that fits the box when grater comes off so good for storage also

seraphina

Oooh, if you're going for a flat one with a container make sure the container bottom is rubberised, so it will stay put when you're grating

MrsBartolozzi

I've got a flat one without a container attached and it's a bit flimsy, seems to bend a bit if I'm grating hard carrots or the like. My favourite is this style:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-Stainless-Rotary-Grater/dp/B0001IWYBO

Mine is from lidl and cost around £2.99. It's great 3 different sizes of grater and it's easy to clean. Just crank the handle and hey presto grated cheese without added fingertips .

kezlou

I prefer box graters, i had a flat one broke instantly and was rubbish at grating cheese. The box underneath used to move around all the time, very annoying.
My current one 1 year and counting out of poundland and still going strong. The one i had before it 9 yrs also from poundland.