How do you store your Microplane zester/grater?

[KathrynY]

I can't believe this hasn't been discussed before, but if it has I didn't find it so here goes... How do you store your Microplane graters and zesters?

I have one big deep drawer in my kitchen that holds all of my "gadgets" (i.e. wooden spoons, spatulas, pizza cutter, potato masher, etc.) but I'm afraid to put my Microplanes in there for two reasons 1) I'm afraid I'll injure myself while pawing through the drawer :( and 2) I'm afraid the utensils banging against each other inside the drawer will dull the cutting surface.

Any suggestions? Thanks! :)

[Luckyfeather]

I just bought a Microplane zester last week. I bought it from Amazon.com, and it came in a paper/card sleeve. I plan to keep it stored in that (anyway until the sleeve comes apart) and have it in a kitchen drawer.

[Searcher]

I have three microplane graters. One thin one, and two wider and shorter ones. The shorter ones I store in my gadget drawer along the side, on their sides. The long one I stick on the magnetic strip I keep my knives on. I put the grating side on the stip and it stays there without being easily knocked off.

[slknight]

Mine's in my utensil drawer, but it's still got the protective cardboard on it because I haven't used it yet!:o :o (Got it as a Christmas gift). I plan on saving the cardboard sleeve so I can store it in that and not worry about the sharpness.

[KathrynY]

Well, Susan, I want to know how you managed to get your Microplane for Christmas! I've had the darn thing on my list for two years running and no one would buy it, so I finally bought it for myself. :rolleyes: I think my family mistakenly thinks that kitchen gadgets don't make good gifts :eek:.

Sounds like I need some cardboard...

[jphilg]

I stick it in my countertop pitcher o' implements, with my wooden spoons, spatulae, and tongs. I routinely shred myself on it.

Clearly not a good solution.

Jen

[swquilts]

I never thought about this! I just toss mine in a drawer with other utensils/gadgets. I finally have enough drawers to store all of my cooking tools so they don't gather dust (I live rural).

Good safety thoughts here!

[wallycat]

Originally posted by jphilg
I stick it in my countertop pitcher o' implements, with my wooden spoons, spatulae, and tongs. I routinely shred myself on it.

Clearly not a good solution.

Jen

me too :D except I've managed to avoid shredding myself ;)

Used to keep it in the plastic sleeve...a pain to put away and I found I never used it. Now I see it and use it all the time :cool:

[KathrynY]

Originally posted by jphilg
I routinely shred myself on it.

Ack!! :eek: This is exactly why I refuse to own a mandoline - I dislike the sight of my own blood.

[Melman]

I cannot believe you posted this question today!! I used my microplane grater last night. I washed and dried it last night but let it sit out overnight to be sure any and all moisture had dried. This morning, I reached into the drawer and pulled out the ORIGINAL PLASTIC bag-thingie that it was in when I bought it! I honestly had the thought of "hmmm, I wonder how many people store their microplane grater in the package it came in." :) Perfect timing! I realized when I bought it that it was probably a dangerous weapon lying open and SHARP in the drawer. This is the drawer where I have my overflow of kitchen gadgets that don't fit in the tall basket on the counter.

PS...I've received ZERO cuts and/or scratches from this thing while it's in the drawer and in the plastic bag. It's only when I take it out and grate things that my knuckles, fingers, etc. are in danger. :D

[HRJ]

I don't know if this will help you unless your kitchen is configured exactly like mine -- but I have one drawer that's very narrow, and I use it to store long, slim objects like chopsticks, tongs etc -- that's where the Microplane zester goes (no cardboard sleeve). The drawer is narrow enough that there's not much room for my hand to "fish around," -- things kinda stay lined up, and it's easy to see and grasp the zester's rubber handle.

I keep my two wide Microplane graters in a utensil crock.

Helene

[Alethea]

I hang mine, mainly because I don't have enough cabinet or drawer space. (It has a small hole in the handle for this.) It's funny, because I'm usually quite accident prone in the kitchen, but I've never scratched myself with this. Though I know BF has.

[slawrence]

I keep mine on the magnetic knife holder on the wall too-I shredded my hands one too many times to leave it with the rest of my utensils.

[pammy]

I guess I'm really lucky. Mine came with a really nice, substantial PLASTIC sleeve. It fits nice and snug, and protects me from shredding:D .

[Kerri]

At what store can you buy a Microplane? I have been unable to find one.

Thanks!

[Melman]

I found mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond. They also carry them at Amazon.com and lots of kitchen stores. I can't say I've actually looked for one at Williams-Sonoma, but I bet they have them, too. When you find it, you'll love it! It's a great multi-use tool (nutmeg, ginger, hard cheeses, and other items that have conveniently slipped my mind. ;) ) Good luck with your search.

[eas11]

I also keep mine in a utensil crock on the counter. It's grater side down, so that when I'm reaching for it,I'm grabbing the plastic handle.

Ellyn

[Leonard]

When I bought mine it came stored in a heavy clear plastic sleeve. It gets put back there in the baking drawer after each use.

[Gail]

With all the weapons I've collected over the years, it honestly never dawned on me to give microplanes special attention (unlike the Cuisinart disks, which scare the #*&$ out of me!) I have two which sit on their sides in a drawer which houses two knife blocks. They're over toward the side of the drawer, flanked by the edge of one of the knife blocks.

[TamiKnight]

I have three drawers for kitchen implements: one for the stuff I seldom use--most distant from my prep area, one for things I use at the stovetop and for serving (tongs, turners, etc.), and one for things I use mostly for baking/prepping (spatulas, measuring spoons, etc.). I keep my microplane in the baking/prepping drawer--just toss it in. I think, though, that I've stayed unshredded because the drawers really aren't very crowded and I don't have to fish around. I've had mine for several years, and never have shredded myself on it. Of course, saying that is like BEGGING for microplane-induced stitches, isn't it? :)

[Beth]

Like Gail's, mine sits in a drawer with a knife block in it and lays along side the block. It won't get dinged or dulled, and the handle is right there ready to reach. If I had a magnetic strip for knives, that would seem like a handy and safe place for it also.

[Gail]

Originally posted by Beth
... If I had a magnetic strip for knives, that would seem like a handy and safe place for it also.

I wonder. Anyone in California or anyone KNOW someone in California who uses magnetic knife strips? Dunno that the rest of you ever have to give any thought to the contents of your kitchen moving around, but in Earthquake Country it's a concern.

[paulryb]

If yours didn't come with a plastic sleeve (I got mine at Martha Stewart's site when they first came out...expensive, but it did come with the sleeve) try storing your grater in a tube from a roll of paper towels. Maybe stapling one end close would be helpful, depending on the dimensions of the grater. Easy to replace every so often when it gets crushed in your drawer! Good for storing those metal springy tongs too.
Paul

[Beth]

Originally posted by Gail


I wonder. Anyone in California or anyone KNOW someone in California who uses magnetic knife strips? Dunno that the rest of you ever have to give any thought to the contents of your kitchen moving around, but in Earthquake Country it's a concern.

Only four years out of California and I didn't even think about that, but I get the feeling that the magnets are strong enpough that the knives would not be likely to do more than slip a little. I think that would take a pretty hard jolt too.

[Gail]

Originally posted by Beth


Only four years out of California and I didn't even think about that, but I get the feeling that the magnets are strong enpough that the knives would not be likely to do more than slip a little. I think that would take a pretty hard jolt too.

Ah, but we've had those hard jolts... Fortunately not too close. Though come to think of it last August's explosion down the block (a house literally blew to smithereens) shook my house so hard, a pancake turner flew out of a pan and onto the middle of the kitchen floor.

[msbeehavn]

I have a PC tool carousel...lol...don't know what the official name of it is...:) I keep it in there, on the counter, within easy reach when I need it! Haven't lost any skin yet!! I'm knockin' on wood as I'm typin' this..:)