The microplanes are the best thing since -- well-- grated cheese. They come in various sizes, and I prefer a large grate for cheese. I have 3 in various sizes of grating.

Microplanes are great for Parmesan at the table, but if I want a large quantity, I use the grater attachment on my Kitchenaid mixer. It's much faster than the Microplane, and half a cup at a time is quite a bit. It would take quite a bit of effort to grate that much Parmigiano Reggiano, especially if you buy the cheese that is aged three years, which is what I prefer. However, it is a good workout!

Lars

I love my microplane grater so much, I take it on vacation when we go to the beach for a week! It is my tool of choice when grating Parmesan Reggiano, and I don't think it's hard at all. A small piece of Parm. results in a rather large amount of fluffy grated cheese, and the only thing you have to clean is the microplane. Go for the kitchen workout!

Microplane user here too..Just generously dusted baked potato wedges...The boys will eat them up this way. :O)

I agree that all the methods described above work great. But before I had those tools, I would cut up a wedge of Pecorino romano into 1/2" cubes and toss them in the blender, a handful at a time, using the "pulse" setting, and then store the grated cheese in a Rubbermaid plastic tub. Even now I will sometimes do it that way, or use the grater attachment to my Bosch mixer if I want stringier bits.

Gratingw ith a micro plane is a great way to grate.....but it will take a while to grate 2 or 3 oz of cheese.
Buy another cuisinart....and this time get one with the choice of any one of about 11 or 12 discs. They make a fine grating disc that makes a fluff or hard cheese or hard chocolate in a moment.

I use both a microplane and a big box grater. The microplane gives light, fluffy grated cheese, but when I want a more dense, thicker grated cheese, I use the big box grater.

I also make sure my Parmesan cheese is at room temperature for easier grating.

Regarding the use of a larger Cusinart that comes with multiple cutting discs, I'm concerned whether one of these would work with just a small amount of cheese. Don't you need a certain minimal amount of material in the processor for it to be picked up and cut?

RB

Hello,
We have a hand-held rotary grater (like the kind the waiter uses at the table in a restaurant) that is made by Microplane. It is fantastic! (we actually bring it on vacation with us also, as one other poster mentioned)
We have tried using a regular flat Microplane grater and it works very well. However, for the amounts of Parm-Reg that we like, their rotary grater can't be beat - it is easy to use, doesn't hurt my hands, and grates a lot of cheese very quickly. You can find them on the internet if you Google Microplane Rotary Grater.

RB, the problem with my food processor is that if you have a small bit of anything, it sometimes gets "stuck" between the top of the grating blade and the bottom of the lid and doesn't get processed.

I use a microplane to do small amounts of cheese and only use the food processor if I have a big chunk, like when I need a couple of cups for italian sausage.

Annie

The discs don't "pick it up"...you shove a chunk of the cheese down the feed tube and the whirling disc grates it.
Never saw one yet that came with that very fine grating disc.....you have to buy it extra.
Linda C

Another Microplane grater user here. I love the fine one for "clouds" of fresh parm, I use the large one if I want larger flakes or curls.

Whichever you chose, chose it fast! Linen 'n Things just jacked up their "Going out of business" discount today!

I have a Cuisinart 14-cup and just love it but have not done anything in small quantity.

I have a small mouli grater that I used until it wore itself out and have had several old fashioned microplane type graters I use. But, I have a nice box grater that has the cup you can sit it on. It even has rubber on the bottom so it's quite sturdy. The cheese goes right into the little box and it holds almost a cup and has it's own lid. Very little cheese missses the box and is easily scooped up with the lid. It makes a nice fine longish grate that works good for me being the pasta head that I am.

I use the microplane grater and/or the microplane rotary grater. Both work really fast for small amounts. The microplane grater will produce a half cup in no time at all.

Most often I use this one. Believe me it's speedy and super easy to clean.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: Stainless Rasp and Zester

I use the Alessi table grater. Better looking and has it's own little cup for the cheese. They have a number of styles.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alessi