Zester for citrus

[ginny177]

I'm thinking of getting a "microplane" for zesting lemons, etc.
Has anyone had good results with these ?
Any reccomendation/suggestions on where to buy one (pref. by web).
Thanks

[lanie]

Hi Ginny - are you speaking of a rasp - I think you are - and they are fantastic - much better than a zester. I am in Toronto, purchased mine in a cookware store, which I am sure you would have near you - they really are a very old-fashioned tool which seems to be the 'in' way to zest, etc. Hope this is what you are talking about, I have 2, one with larger knives and a smaller one - they are also good graters - particularly for parmesan cheese which is so hard.

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 11-30-2000).]

[emilycat]

I think a rasp and a microplane are the same thing, but the woman who dubbed it microplane did so because it was a tool that her husband used in his workshop...or something like that.
Anyway, yes, I have the Microplane, and I love it! It was only $2; I got the one without rubber handles or anything on it, because the owner of the kitchen store I bought it in said that for some reason, they worked better (and were less expensive) They work sooo well, on zesting lemons, oranges, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, parmesan, whatever. Really a great tool.

[BethH]

I absolutely love my microplane zester/grater (I think that's what its real name is--but I just think of it as a food-grade wood rasp.) Once you start using it, you'll never go back to your old grater!

I bought my microplane from Amazon.com...the cooking section...and I remember it being reasonably priced and arriving right away. Go for it--I love to zest lemons with it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[kltcarley]

I got mine from Sur La Table, and love it. My has a handle and still works great. It is very sharp, and knowing me I would cut myself without a handle!

[Liz K]

I have a microplane zester (my boyfriend bought it over the 'net and paint @ $12). It works really well.

My only complaint is that it's really long. Sometimes, I have a hard time handling it (I'm really clumsy in the kitchen).

[Mamasue]

LOVE IT....LOVE IT....LOVE IT. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Its one of my favorite gadgets. I paid much more than emily http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif. Mine was about 15 dollars without a handle. I bought one for my Mother and she loves it too. You have to get one!!!!

[junietoo]

I've been looking at these for a while and wondering....

After reading this thread, there will be one in my kitchen before long.

[lorilei]

I was curious about this, so I ran around looking for a picture of this mysterious rasp/microplaner thing.
http://store6.yimg.com/I/lhjstore_1608_1133439

It certainly does look useful... and to think I was perfectly happy not more than 10 minutes ago with my Oxo GoodGrips Zester. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[emilycat]

I'm baffled...where did you all get yours? Mine is called Microplane; it had the little booklet with it that explained how it came to be manufactured with that name, so I know it's the "real deal," but how come mine was so much less expensive? Maybe it's because mine doesn't have the handle. ?

[ginny177]

SOLD !! Thanks for the good reports and now I'm sure to get one I use a lot of lemon zest and would find it good for other uses too, I think.
Emily, where did you buy yours ? What brand is it? Maybe I can find it locally or will get some other web sites. I'm sure Fantes has them - and probably Wms. Sonoma, but had hoped to get one at a better price.
I'll keep reading these posts for a while before I decide where to purchase. Many thanks!

[lorilei]

Here are a couple of sites with these gadgets for sale:

A $9.59 model: www.great-news.com/catalog/gadgets/microplane/stainlesszester.htm (http://www.great-news.com/catalog/gadgets/microplane/stainlesszester.htm)

Models ranging from $8.99 - $19.99 www.fantes.com/microplane.htm (http://www.fantes.com/microplane.htm)

A variety for around $10: www.restaurant-pages.com/chef/Microplane/ (http://www.restaurant-pages.com/chef/Microplane/) www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004S7V8/office2000/107-1704539-4133350 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004S7V8/office2000/107-1704539-4133350)

Store recommendations for Microplane products: www.microplane.com/html/kitchen.html (http://www.microplane.com/html/kitchen.html)

[BarbaraL]

Interesting thread . . . I used to hate making anything with citrus zest because it was such a pain to get! I bought a zester and broke it the first time I used it (don't know my own strength)! Now, I use my regular old potato peeler, being careful not to get the white pith. Then, I chop it up really fine with a knife. I'll have to look into these rasps (of course, I could just go downstairs to my husband's workshop. . . ). Just kidding!

[Alky]

I have been looking at these for some time but am always confused as which size to buy? What are your recommendations?

[pvavricka]

Thank you, thank you Lorilei! I was wondering what this thing looked like! It looks like I'll be adding it to my "kitchen stocking" list.

Penny

[emilycat]

Ginny,
Mine's a Microplane (that's the brand) with no handle; it's just the rasp, and I got it at a shop in Atlanta called Kitchen Fare. Love it!

[ginny177]

Good Grief! YOu gals are great ! I had no idea there were so many choices until I saw lorilei's post.
Now I just need to decide if a handle is beneficial - or the width of the blade makes a difference. Almost too much for this poor old brain to handle ! Any more pros or cons ?
Since I don't plan to be in Atlanta in the near future, I guess I'll choose one from one of the websites. Thanks

[NydiaC]

How is this different from the fine grate side of the cheese grater? It doesn't look that different. I tried grating lemon rind like that once, and didn't get very good results.

[Susann]

Emily-where is Kitchenfare? Looks like I have to take a field trip this weekend!

[emilycat]

Susann,

It's on E. Andrews Drive... right off Roswell road in Buckhead. Right after Peachtree splits into Roswell and Peachtree going north, just veer left onto Roswell, and take it about 1/2 mile to E. Andrews Drive. It's in a little shopping center on the left where Marcia Sherrill and The Kangaroo Pouch are.

It's a pretty neat store...make sure you look in the back room, too; there are some absolutely gorgeous individually made dishes that you have to look at. Have fun!

Emily

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 12-01-2000).]

[Gail]

Originally posted by NydiaC:
How is this different from the fine grate side of the cheese grater? It doesn't look that different. I tried grating lemon rind like that once, and didn't get very good results.

Wish I could tell you, but I honestly don't know. All I can say is that it's a whole different experience-- it doesn't seem to shave as deeply as the cheese grater so you get deliciously light, wispy bits of rind. It's sharp, so much easier to use-- you will never have fear of grating rind again!

[Beth]

I've always used the fine side of my grater for citrus peel, but it's a pain to clean. Are these easier to clean? Maybe Santa will bring me one! (My birthday is less than a week away from Christmas, so I don't think I'm allowed to buy anything for myself after Halloween, if not Labor Day.)

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 12-02-2000).]

[Gail]

I just finished grating fresh ginger for the marinade of the CL turkey/habanero thingy and had no problem cleaning it at all. I recall having a similar experience with citrus peel, ostensibly because the holes aren't so deep and the peel doesn't get as wet and icky.

...now if I could only stop coughing from habanero fumes... (moral: next time wear a surgical mask.)

[Susann]

Emily-I just saw the post. Thanks for the awesome directions. How did you know that I can get lost going around the corner??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Ginny-I didn't make it there today, but I will definitely get you one if I go!

[Beth]

Originally posted by Gail:
...now if I could only stop coughing from habanero fumes... (moral: next time wear a surgical mask.)

LOL! Reminds me of the chili peppers I fried in a tiny apartment to make Kung Pao Chicken. It was good; hope your CL Turkey thingy is too. Meanwhile, I'll keep my eyes open for one of these gadgets.

[emilycat]

Susann,

I'm notorious for getting lost in the most ridiculous situations...I figure I should spare someone else the trouble!

Besides, since I finally know my way around Atlanta, I feel like spouting off my knowledge http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 12-03-2000).]

[almiter]

I just bought the microplane zester with the handle and am thinking about getting the coarse grater for cheese. Does anyone own the coarse grater? Would love some feedback!

[coop]

I am new to the board but wanted to mention, I purchased a rasp in a hardware store last weekend for less than $2. They had many varieties to choose from. It works wonderful!

[schuh]

Add me to the lovers of the microplane. Mine has a comfortable handle. Definitely a good investment! So much better than those zesters that do about 5 strips at a time and take ages to zest alemon.

[This message has been edited by schuh (edited 04-17-2001).]

[Alisa]

I found an excellent rasp at Lee Valley Tools.

[makedah]

I bought one a few weeks ago, and its great. Mine isn't that good on ginger. Maybe frozen ginger would be better. I checked them out at the hardware store, but there they were gross and rusted looking.