People are just realising what tiny slots in cheese grater are for
There are a number of kitchen gadgets that we use regularly, but there are often hidden uses for them that we would never guess
There are many gadgets we use regularly in our kitchens and we probably don't question many of them too often.
Nevertheless, people are frequently shocked to discover they've been using everyday appliances incorrectly, and this has now proven true with the cheese grater.
From using the hole in spaghetti spoons to measure portion size to extending dishwashers so that tall glasses fit, there are loads of brilliant tricks not everyone is aware of.
And one such discovery that could prove useful is the fourth side of a box grater, and what it is meant to be used for.
While it should be clear that each side is used to grate food, many people have been baffled by the fourth side, which features tiny holes with sharpened, outward-facing ridges.
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This was the case for one Reddit user, who turned to the website to enquire how to use the side with the smallest holes. The post reads: "Does anybody ever use this part of the grater? What is it even for?"
The author added: "All this has ever done is hurt my hand, but I've literally never used those smalls hole graters ever. Pretty much just use the other side for making grated cheese."
And it appears he was not the only one who had struggled with the answer.
An equally baffled user wrote: "I have this exact one... and I've also assumed it was to make the cheese a bit smaller after grating. All it does though however, is f*** your hand up".
Another Reddit user said: "Very handy for shredding cleaning sponges."
Fortunately, a number of clever chefs also shared their advice. One response reads: "Yea but took years to figure out, Parmesan and lemon/orange/ lime zest is best shredded on those 2 sides."
A second commented: "Zest hard cheese or garlic nutmeg maybe ginger to make like a paste", while a third wrote: "Potato pancakes come out great with this side!"
According to MarthaStewart.com: "The smaller shredding holes are designed to finely grate cheese, chocolate, vegetables, and more."
The tiniest perforations can then be used to create delicate cheese strands that will readily melt into salad dressings or sauces, or as Reddit users recommended, to zest citrus fruits and grate nutmeg.
Meanwhile, the edge featuring broad slots serves for slicing purposes. And the surface with the largest grating holes, the one most of us use regularly, is intended for semi-hard cheese, carrots and apples.
