Graters

how do you get the little bits of orange rind out of a grater? i'm baking a lemon drizzle cake for my mom!

I'm using a four-sided grater and I've grated the rind of an orange and a lemon for addition to this cake. But it looks like half the rind is still on the scraper, in and around the tiny blades. Is there any trick to get these little bits out? I've use a cocktail pick but its no use!

Public Comments

1. brush it the opposite way to the grater. hold downwards
2. Hot soapy water and a pan scrub with a handle
3. If you need them for baking try using the back of a knife. If you are just trying to clean it, use a new nail brush or dish bursh to scub them out while running it under hot water.
4. Smack firmly on a table or cutting board. Or you can try to brush them out with you're fingers
5. ex pro chef at your service: some people place wax paper or parchment on the side first, then grate, remove paper, and zest will come right off paper. i just give my grater a big bang and most falls off. then i deal with it with washing or soaking. good luck, your mom is lucky!
6. use a CLEAN finger
7. A scrub brush..like the bbq type,,hot water also,,a knife works well but time consuming,,find a small brush of any sort works well
8. you need to use a special grater. its called a microplaner.. getting zest out of a cheese grater is a nightmare.
9. Over time, it gets next to impossible to get everything out of the "fine" side of your grater. The best way is to soak the grater in some warm, soapy water, for 20 or 30 minutes. That should loosen the bulk of it. Then, use an old toothbrush to brush away the remaining debris. Don't use steel wool or anything else that can shred. Also, try putting the grater on the top rack of your dishwasher, next time you're doing the dishes. The agitation should loosen a great deal of the gunk.
10. First, try soaking the grater in hot, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Then, use some kind of bristled brush. You might even try using a toothbrush (old or new, your choice) which will even let you reach to the inside area. When grating, you can also spray the grater with cooking oil before you use it. BTW, I made a decision a few years ago not to use a four sided grater anymore. It is somewhat hard to clean them, and they are not so easy to use either. More chance, too, I think, of getting cut with that kind. Better to have a couple flat ones with different size holes. Nice that you are making a cake for your mom!
11. use a rasp you can get at a hardware store its a single grater and is used to file down wood but is perfect for grateing rinds or nutmeg try it you'llbe happy.
12. In the future, invest in a micro-plane, it will make a world of difference. In the mean time, if you still need the rest of the zest try a good bang on the counter, over a board. If you have extra and want to try again, then spray with Pam, or oil inside and out, very very lightly, that will help release the zest. As for cleaning, yes hot water and a scrub brush, even letting it soak will be fine, I keep an old toothbrush for under my nails, when all the mess is done. I Would Not use the toothbrush on the grater, that would be a bit yucky. Your mom will love the cake either way because you made it with love. Good luck, your a sweet kid.
13. A long-handled brush.
14. I use a pastry brush (or a basting brush). Just be sure to brush carefully and gently or all the rind will end up on the floor and not in your bowl!