I think the plastic thing is to squish a garlic clove onto the grater when you're grating it.

Was your lemon dry? I would (for a lemon) remove the plastic thingy, and simply rub the lemon up and down the grater, rotating it as you go. A sharp rap dislodges the shreds, much as with an older style grater.

A long time ago, ten years? I invented a gadget to grate garlic that looks identical to that Kitchenaid thing. I posted mine on this cooking forum, and FOAS made a comment that I should get a patent and make a lot of money with it.

dcarch

That kind of a grater doesn't work well as a zester.....
This works better.
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/salt-trade-lemon-zester-in-black/1046994073?skuId=46994073&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenfoodprep_online&product_id=46994073&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=1o2&creative=224484706035&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&mrkgadid=558377654&mrkgcl=609&rkg_id=h-1e957fa6a3df8adfac2489752047e8d0_t-1510154146&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2YOAxaKv1wIVXbjACh0eJg7tEAQYAiABEgJANfD_BwE

Ditto the above!! I never use my zester - awkward and inefficient - but I use my microplane constantly as I use citrus zest in many, many recipes. Also great (grate?) for hard cheeses like parmesan or for grating nutmeg. I just chop or mash garlic.

I use my zester all the time....there is a right and a wrong side to the way you draw it over the lemon. I have a micro plane that I use for nutmeg....and sometimes for lemon...it makes finer shreds, but I really like the zester. Not so much for removing all the zest from lemon , but more for adding some zest to a finished product.

I agree that the tool in the first photo is for nutmeg. I have several microplanes with different size "teeth' and holes for different uses. I use the smaller one for zesting.

Rita, when I bought planers, they came in a set of three, for zesting grating different things. It may be you had one for grating cheese, which wouldn’t work for citrus peel.

but even when I use a traditional grater, the product sometimes comes out in lumps.

I have one of those old fashioned four sided graters that you stand up on the counter and hold. I use that for zesting lemons and oranges over a foot of waxed paper to catch the zest. Works great.

I have one of those too, shielajoyce, but a lot of the zest gets caught up in the holes and getting it out is a PITA. I find a microplane doesn't have that issue and is easy to clean as well.

A microplane grater is pure bliss! SO quick and easy! And no skinned knuckles!

I once went to a cooking demonstration by Ellie Krieger, she asked about microplanes. How many had one? Several hands went up. Two? Still quite a few. Three? Four? At five I was the only person left with their hand up, LOL.

Anyway, I use a fine microplane for lemon zest, and the same one for nutmeg although I have a special little oddly shaped one for nutmeg with a place to keep the nutmeg until the next use. I just grab that fine toothed microplane for garlic, zest and nutmeg.

The top one looks like it could be for garlic, it has that little place to hold something while grating.

Annie

Microplanes are so useful for so many things. I have a few in different sizes. I can't imagine the one posted could replace a good microplane. Or the small vessel could hold much of anything. I do have a similar gadget that I use all the time but the 'holder' is much larger. It must be 25yrs old back when plastics were stronger. Near identical to this one but mine says 'made in Italy' . I use it for making paper thin garlic slices for 'chips'. Low slow stovetop heat for golden sweet chips. A garnish for greens, mashed potatoes, etc.

No idea if this one is made as well as mine.

They're a valued but not often used tool in my kitchen, and they seem to dull quickly given their limited use. Once their kitchen days are over they enjoy an active retirement in the bathroom, where they're great (grate?) for foot callous removal.

dcarch - re the hopper, I hope Kitchenaid paid you handsomely?

sleevendog - was thinking about you recently; nice to see you posting again. I had the tool you pictured (or identical looking) and I remember being very disappointed with it. I don't recall if the slices were too thick or the blade too dull or both, but I think it was a rare tool that actually got thrown out. I'm guessing your Italian version is better than what I had.

That’s odd, FOAS. I’ve had my microplanes for years, using them fairly often, and they show no signs of dulling.

I think the tool Stumpy showed is not a "gen-u-wine" Microplane but a wanna be. There is one at Church like that....and It's past it's prime.

What Stump posted was the original micro plane. It came with the rubber grip or without. They do wear out. I own several items from micro plane and after about 5yrs of use, the most frequently used areas are not as sharp so I replace them.

Microplane Classic Series

Yeah it's real! Here's mine, in its real cover!

Now THIS microplane is a favorite:

FOAS, I have that same grater for nutmeg, but always seem to reach for the other one, for some reason. It's an odd shape and won't fit into my top drawer, where the other one goes, so probably it doesn't get used because it's not as conveniently located. I'll have to think about implement placement now!

Annie

Mine's just on the shelf with my spices, but if you've got something more organized like a spice rack I suppose that might not work. I hope you have something more organized. :)