Zulay Kitchen Rotary Cheese Grater 5 Review: Top 5 Features Tested

Is This the Best Rotary Cheese Grater 5 for Your Kitchen Needs?

Are you tired of struggling with flat graters that leave your fingers at risk and cheese all over your counter? As a home cook who prepares meals daily, I’ve experienced the frustration of inefficient kitchen tools firsthand. After testing dozens of kitchen gadgets over the years, I’m excited to share my in-depth review of the Zulay Kitchen Rotary Cheese Grater, a 5-blade cheese shredder that promises to revolutionize your food prep routine.

The best rotary cheese grater should combine efficiency, versatility, and ease of use – but does the Zulay Kitchen model deliver on these promises? In this comprehensive review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about this popular kitchen tool to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your culinary arsenal.

Whether you’re a cheese enthusiast looking to upgrade from a traditional grater or simply searching for a more efficient way to prepare ingredients, this rotary cheese grater review will provide all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision.

Quick Summary: Zulay Kitchen Rotary Cheese Grater

Who Is the Zulay Rotary Cheese Grater For?

The Zulay Kitchen rotary cheese grater is perfect for:

• Cheese enthusiasts who regularly use different types of cheese in their cooking
• Busy home cooks looking to speed up meal preparation
• People with hand strength issues who struggle with traditional flat graters
• Meal preppers who process large quantities of ingredients at once
• Small kitchen owners who need versatile, multi-function tools

This tool might not be ideal for:

• Minimalist cooks who rarely prepare dishes requiring grated ingredients
• Those who prefer ultra-budget kitchen tools (though it offers excellent value)
• People who only occasionally need to grate small amounts of cheese

Design & Build Quality

Appearance & First Impressions

The Zulay Kitchen rotary cheese grater makes a strong first impression with its sleek, modern design. Available in several color options, this grater features a combination of sturdy plastic housing with stainless steel blades. Compared to budget options, the Zulay grater has a substantial feel that suggests durability.

While some rotary cheese graters on Amazon look flimsy, this model’s construction inspires confidence from the moment you remove it from the packaging. The ergonomic handle feels comfortable in hand, and the suction base adds a premium touch not found in all competitors.

Materials & Construction

The 5 in 1 rotary cheese grater’s blades are made from food-grade stainless steel that resists rust and maintains sharpness over time. The plastic components are BPA-free and feel thick enough to withstand regular use without cracking or warping.

The drum mechanism rotates smoothly without wobbling – a common issue with lower-quality graters like some models I’ve tried. The suction base provides excellent stability, a feature I particularly appreciate when grating harder cheeses that require more force.

Performance & Functionality

Blade Variety & Versatility

Where the Zulay really shines as potentially the best rotary cheese grater is its versatility. The five interchangeable blades include:

1. Fine Shredder – Perfect for hard cheeses like Parmesan
2. Coarse Shredder – Ideal for cheddar and mozzarella
3. Ribbon Blade – Creates thin vegetable strips
4. Fine Grater – For zesting citrus and grating nutmeg
5. Slicer – For thin slices of vegetables

This variety makes the Zulay more than just a cheese grater – it’s a comprehensive food prep tool. During my testing, I found the blade exchange mechanism intuitive and secure, without the looseness sometimes found in the Geedel rotary cheese grater models.

Grating Performance

The primary function of any rotary cheese grater is, of course, grating cheese – and the Zulay excels here. The sharp blades make quick work of hard cheeses like Parmesan with minimal effort. The rotation is smooth and consistent, resulting in evenly grated cheese without clumping.

When compared to the Susteas rotary cheese grater, the Zulay offers similar performance but with a more comfortable grip. I was able to grate an 8-ounce block of cheddar in under a minute – significantly faster than using a traditional box grater.

The fine grater blade deserves special mention for its ability to create a light, fluffy pile of hard cheese that’s perfect for garnishing pasta dishes. Meanwhile, the coarse grater produces perfect shreds for melting on pizzas and casseroles.

Vegetable Slicing Capability

As a rotary cheese grater and vegetable slicer combo, this tool handles vegetables almost as well as it does cheese. The ribbon blade creates beautiful strands of zucchini for “zoodles,” while the slicer makes uniform cucumber or carrot slices for salads.

However, I found that very hard vegetables like carrots require significant force to turn the handle. This isn’t a flaw unique to the Zulay – it’s common among rotary graters and reflects the limitations of the design rather than this specific model.

Ease of Use & Cleaning

User Experience

The Zulay rotary cheese grater features an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to use even during extended prep sessions. The handle turns smoothly, and the suction base (when properly attached to a clean, flat surface) holds the unit firmly in place.

One aspect that sets this model apart from competitors is the wide food chamber, which accommodates larger chunks of cheese or vegetables, reducing the prep work needed before grating. The included finger guard protects your fingertips when pushing the last bits of food through the chamber.

Cleaning Process

Kitchen tools are only as good as they are easy to clean, and thankfully, the Zulay excels here too. All components (except the main handle assembly) are dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended to preserve the sharpness of the blades.

When hand washing, the included cleaning brush makes removing cheese from the blade holes simple. The unit disassembles easily into its component parts, leaving no hidden crevices where food particles can hide.

After testing the America’s Test Kitchen rotary cheese grater recommendations alongside the Zulay, I found this model’s cleaning process to be among the most straightforward.

Durability & Long-Term Value

After several months of regular use, my Zulay grater shows no signs of wear. The gears continue to operate smoothly, and the blades remain sharp. Based on the quality of materials and construction, I expect this tool to last for years with proper care.

The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty, which adds peace of mind to the purchase. At its price point (typically between $24.99-$29.99 on Amazon rotary cheese grater listings), the Zulay represents excellent value compared to both cheaper models that lack durability and more expensive brands that don’t necessarily offer better performance.

Pros & Cons

What I Love

• Versatile functionality with 5 interchangeable blades
• Stable suction base that truly secures the unit during use
• Comfortable ergonomic handle that reduces hand fatigue
• Easy disassembly for thorough cleaning
• Durable construction that promises longevity
• Efficient grating of both soft and hard cheeses
• Compact storage with blade organizer included

What Could Be Improved

• Requires significant force for harder vegetables
• Suction base needs perfectly clean surface to adhere properly
• Food chamber could be slightly larger for bigger blocks of cheese
• Some small parts could potentially be lost during cleaning
• Learning curve for optimal pressure and speed

Alternatives & Comparisons

Zulay vs. Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater

The Geedel model offers similar features at a comparable price point but lacks the stability of Zulay’s suction base. While the Geedel includes a container for catching grated cheese (a feature the Zulay lacks), the Zulay’s superior build quality and smoother rotation mechanism make it my preference between these two options.

Zulay vs. Premium Brands

Compared to high-end models costing $40+, the Zulay offers nearly identical performance at a more accessible price point. Unless you’re a professional chef requiring commercial-grade equipment, the Zulay provides all the functionality most home cooks would need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Zulay rotary cheese grater handle soft cheeses?

Yes, but with limitations. Very soft cheeses like brie or camembert will likely clog the blades. The grater works best with semi-hard to hard cheeses ranging from cheddar to parmesan.

How do you clean cheese residue from the blades?

The included cleaning brush works perfectly for this task. For stubborn residue, soaking the blades in warm, soapy water for a few minutes before brushing helps immensely.

Is this grater suitable for left-handed users?

Yes, the Zulay rotary cheese grater is designed for ambidextrous use and works equally well for right and left-handed users.

Can children safely use this grater?

With adult supervision, older children can use this grater safely. The enclosed design keeps fingers away from the sharp blades, making it safer than traditional flat graters.

Does it work for nuts and chocolate?

Yes, the fine and medium blades work well for grating nuts and chocolate. However, very hard nuts may put strain on the mechanism.

Conclusion: Is the Zulay the Best Rotary Cheese Grater?

After extensive testing and daily use in my kitchen, I believe the Zulay Kitchen 5-blade rotary cheese grater offers exceptional value and performance for most home cooks. Its versatility extends well beyond cheese grating, effectively replacing several kitchen tools and saving valuable drawer space.

While it’s not perfect – particularly when facing very hard vegetables – its strengths far outweigh its minor limitations. The combination of sharp, interchangeable blades, ergonomic design, and sturdy construction makes this one of the best rotary cheese graters available in its price range.

For anyone who regularly grates cheese or prepares vegetables for cooking, this tool will save time, reduce mess, and make food prep more efficient. Given its durability and versatility, the Zulay rotary cheese grater represents an excellent investment for your kitchen.

Check the current price on Amazon and see why this has become my go-to recommendation for friends and family looking to upgrade their kitchen tools.

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