Microplane v. Zester

[NYChristopher]

I have a stand-up grater, a mandoline, a decent set of knives and a zester that looks like this
http://www.tabletools.com/ttools/imag...

I'm a total amateur, I don't grate herbs or nuts (I usually mince and leave it at that) so can someone tell me, do I really need a microplane and why is it better than my zester?

Thanks.

[HillJ]

a zester dulls and is nearly impossible to sharpen well.
a microplane remains sharp (so watch out) for years.

[brekkie_fan]

microplane all the way. it's true what they all say. worth the money.

[LJS]

I can't believe we got throught this much discussion of microplanes without the word "marguerita" coming up! Simply can't make one without the other!

[xnyorkr]

Microplanes are great, and make your food look "professional." But a few things - search chowhound for a thread on how to use it, b/c I found out I was using it upside down. Also, you still need to watch your knuckles on the hand holding the food!

[ccbweb]

I'd go so far as to say that I'd pretty much give up everything you mentioned in your equipment list aside from a good knife and my microplane. Between the two, there is very very little I can't get prepped.

[troutpoint]

Gotta agree. Microplane all the way. In fact, now I have 2-one small rasp -one medium, I LOVE them both.

[annimal]

luckily now you can get a little cheese holder attachment for the wide microplanes. Please, please buy a Microplane. I waited a while on buying mine, but now I zest/grate everything I can because it's so FUN.

god, we're total sickos. and yes, be careful not to zest your fingers while using the microplane.

[bbc]

Just try it, and you will not go back. Grating is not that difficult, but microplane makes it almost sickly fun & sooooo easy. Also, not so expensive! But I understand the hesitation - for hard cheeses especially though - WHOA.

[jcanncuk]

Besides the above uses, the Microplane is great for hard cheese (parma etc). I ahve both, but very rarely use my zester anymore.

[Buckethead]

About the only thing I can think of that a zester does better than a microplane is what JK said, they can pull off long strands of zest, good for decoration. But you can use a knife for that. A microplane is superior in every other way. Just be careful you don't microplane your fingertips off.

[JasmineG]

That zester is useless. You'll know why you need a Microplane as soon as you use it.

[Kagemusha]

"Joke" zesters like these keep Chinese 18 yr-olds employed but don't do much for us. Get a MicroPlane. Great for garlic, ginger, zesting, Parm and other hard cheeses.The first sound you'll hear after getting a MP is your old zester hitting the trash can.

[Kagey]

I wouldn't want to use that zester on a piece of garlic.

Actually, I do have a zester, but I find that my microplane is replacing it. It's especially good for ginger.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Those zesters are good for pulling off long strips of zest. I utterly LOVE my Microplane. It completely takes the zest off citrus in fine, fluffy clouds of zest, and does so much faster than with a regular zester.