Overview and selection of electric graters

The modern world of high speeds, constant lack of time requires new approaches to equipping the kitchen. One of the most essential things in any kitchen is a grater. But with a rare hand-held grater, it is quite problematic to meet the requirements of our time. It was replaced by various types of electric graters.

Graters (sometimes also called vegetable cutters) are designed for grinding a wide variety of products. With their help, various food products are chopped, cut into slices, cubes, strips. The basis of the graters are plates - nozzles. They are most often made of steel or plastic with perforations. The sizes and shapes of the perforations are dependent on the stated processing requirements of certain products.

Depending on the method of functioning, there are three types of graters: manual, mechanized and electric. The electric grater has the highest rubbing speed with a complete lack of physical effort on the part of a person.

In terms of functionality and processing speed, automatic devices surpass their mechanical counterparts, and are in no way inferior to them. They grind foods of any hardness. Usually a special grater is included with them, which completely replaces a mechanical vegetable cutter. Electric graters are divided into several types. Classic budget models that are easy to use, designed for chopping vegetables, fruits and herbs.

The various attachments cut the food into shavings, strips, cubes or slices. The attachments with various perforation sizes allow you to grind food on demand: from small crumbs to impressive slices. The set, as a rule, includes special attachments for apples, for potatoes, for chocolate, for parmesan. The advantages of such mechanisms include simplicity of design, good performance, high speed and low noise level, a large number of attachments.

The possibilities of professional graters are small. Such graters are chopped only in a certain form: they are used for slicing carrots in Korean, for slicing onions into rings, for chopping parmesan. More complex mechanisms include models that combine an electric grater with a meat grinder. Such models, along with attachments in the form of discs, can also have removable cups with knives. With their help, it is possible not only to grind vegetables and fruits, but also to process harder foods. Ideal for processing meat, for shredding cabbage, beets - almost any food product can be shredded using this mechanism. Most often they are used in the preparation of soups, stews, fruit salads.

One of the varieties of electric graters is an electric shredder. She ideally cuts food into neat slices, cubes, straws. Household models are suitable for home use, and industrial vegetable cutters are indispensable for catering establishments. They are capable of processing tons of products per hour.

By design, electric graters are:

• disk;
• cylindrical.

For disc models, the knurled disc is horizontal and the food is fed from the top. Cylindrical graters are very similar to meat grinders. The main part is in the form of a notched cylinder. It should be noted that due to the roundness of the cylinder, the slices have a characteristic bend. It is especially noticeable with coarse cuts. This may not meet the stated requirements for the preparation of certain dishes.

The following are used as estimated parameters for electric graters:

• kind of functions;
• characteristics of the materials from which the entire mechanism and its components are made;
• grinding quality;
• features of assembly, operation and maintenance;
• design features;
• availability of additional accessories;
• price according to quality.

According to experienced chefs and ordinary consumers, the following products were included in the top of the best models.

• Vegetable cutter of the French brand Moulinex, model Fresh Express Cube DJ905. European assembly is a guarantee of its high quality and long-term operation. Five colored interchangeable inserts allow you to rub, chop, chop into strips or even cubes. The model is equipped with a special compartment for attachments. Some problems only occur when cleaning the dicing tool.

• Cylindrical vegetable cutter Maxwell MW-1303 G made in China includes 6 attachments, with which you can grate and cut into slices, strips, and even cook fries. There are overload protection, storage space for attachments. Chopper power 150 W. As disadvantages, they note the impossibility of cutting into cubes, as well as periodic stuck in the "trunk".

• The Philips HR1388 model is equipped with a wide mouth, a set of stainless inserts. It is possible to send processed products directly to any dish. It is allowed to wash the components in the dishwasher. As a negative - there is no possibility of storing discs, no disc for cutting into cubes.

• In the vegetable cutter Redmond RKA-FP4 users note the high-tech DC motor: with not very high power, the cooking process is instantaneous for products of any hardness. The model is compact and has a stylish design.Equipped with a wide loading chute, has 4 replaceable stainless steel nozzles.

• The 50W model Mystery MMC-1405 successfully recycles soft foods. There is a possibility of cutting French fries, strips of various sizes. The kit includes 3 nozzles, if you wish, you can buy other nozzles in specialized stores. The negative factors in this model are noise during operation and the inability to cut into cubes.

• Electric grater of domestic production Electric Slicer is compact, easy to use. There are 5 interchangeable discs that guarantee a perfectly flat cut, allowing you to chop both very hard and watery products. The disadvantage is the predominantly plastic case, which does not guarantee its durability.

• The budget version of the Bradex TD 0063 electric grater is ideal for quick preparation of light salads. Includes 2 attachments: for shredding and slicing. The power of 25 W does not allow working with solid products. The plastic case is unreliable, problems arise with a short wire.

• The Moulinex DJ755G unit is pleasant in appearance, it is distinguished by a high-class assembly. Has a high power, is convenient during cleaning. Equipped with 5 attachments: for fine, coarse slices, for curly slices, for thin slices. The mechanism has an improved direct feed system and an enlarged loading compartment. The only drawback is that during prolonged operation, the device may heat up.

• The Bosch MCM 62020 food processor has a power of 1000 W. It is distinguished by its versatility: it will not only grind any products using any of 7 attachments and a grater, but also prepare citrus juice, perform the functions of a blender, beat cocktails, eggs, knead dough. The 3.9 L bowl allows you to process large quantities of food at the same time.

• The Scarlett SC-KP45S01 is commended by pastry chefs for its special chocolate and nut grater. The set includes 3 attachments for coarse and fine shredding. 200W power allows you to cope with the processing of any product. The accessories are made of wear-resistant stainless steel, which guarantees a long service life. The unusual shape of the nozzles causes some difficulties in cleaning.

In order to choose high-quality kitchen appliances, you should pay attention to the manufacturer, the power of the appliance, the presence of removable elements and additional containers. High quality kitchen appliances are produced in Germany, Sweden, Italy and France. The most popular brands of German household appliances among consumers are: Bosch, Siemens, Braun, Thomas, AEG, Electrolux, Miele. Electric graters of the French brand Moulinex have proven themselves very well.

And also the attention of buyers is attracted by the kitchen appliances of the Philips trade brand (Netherlands). The producing countries of this brand, producing electric wipers, are Hungary and China. New generation Chinese household appliances have a lower price point. When determining the required power, it is required to clearly understand for what purpose the electric grater is purchased. The function of a chopper of soft products, such as boiled chicken eggs, is easily handled by a 50 W appliance. If vegetable slicing or chopping of harder products is required, then the power should be at least 100 watts.

Mechanisms with removable elements should be preferred. Indeed, in the event of a breakdown, it is much cheaper to replace a knife or another device that has failed than to buy new equipment. Additional containers and accessories can be a pleasant bonus when purchasing an electric grater. The containers can be used to store individual removable parts or for food that has not been crushed or already rubbed.As an accessory, manufacturers can offer a pusher that advances products to the knives. Perhaps the kit will include special brushes for washing discs. The buyer will also be pleased with the presence of a book with recipes where the use of a grater is necessary.

Depending on the requirements for this technique, you should pay attention to the number and purpose of the attachments. For example, lovers of Korean carrots should check if there is a special attachment for this dish. When purchasing an electric grater combined with a meat grinder, pay attention to the presence of a nozzle for making homemade sausages.

The material from which the body and components are made is also of great importance. They can be plastic or metal. Plastic ones are cheaper, but wear out faster. The best option is an aluminum case, which is durable in use. Knives made of ceramic or stainless steel, without additional sharpening, will flawlessly serve for many years.

When choosing a material for bowls, preference should be given to glass containers. Plastic ones are quickly scratched, and in metal (with low alloy quality), products can oxidize. An important factor is the size and design of household appliances. The hostess assistant should harmoniously fit into the kitchen set, without cluttering the space and decorating it.

Before washing the electric grater, you must disconnect it from the mains. The entire mechanism must not be immersed in water. Care varies depending on the features of the models. As a rule, the nozzle discs are removable. In order to prevent adhering residues of crushed products from sticking to them, they must be washed immediately after use. A stream of running water is enough to clean out the gaps of the nozzles. If the residues have dried on, then perforated discs must be filled with water for some time to soak the dirt. Cleaning fine perforations requires more painstaking care.

When removing residues with a sponge or a special fleecy brush, they are carried out along the smooth (back) side of the grater, and when cleaning the front side, they move in the direction of the notches. When cleaning the front side, you should be extremely careful not to injure yourself. Before reassembling the mechanism, it is necessary to dry the washed parts.

Electric graters simplify and decorate the cooking process, which means that there is more free time for leisure, for communication with loved ones. Thanks to the electric grater, everyday dishes take on the appearance of restaurant delights.