373268 Wed Feb 21 00:18:37 -0800 2007 14 41 Cookware 0 2313122 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/images/std_img/49027.jpg 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. Wed Feb 21 00:18:37 -0800 2007 23892 NYChristopher 1 2313166 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. Wed Feb 21 01:49:20 -0800 2007 2313122 10996 JK Grence the Cosmic Jester 1 2313210 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. Wed Feb 21 03:57:52 -0800 2007 2313122 14139 Kagey 1 2313294 "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. Wed Feb 21 05:18:11 -0800 2007 2313122 16382 Kagemusha 1 2314651 That zester is useless. You'll know why you need a Microplane as soon as you use it. Wed Feb 21 11:25:55 -0800 2007 2313122 13525 JasmineG 1 2315436 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. Wed Feb 21 14:40:45 -0800 2007 2313122 29811 Buckethead 1 2318249 Besides the above uses, the Microplane is great for hard cheese (parma etc). I ahve both, but very rarely use my zester anymore. Thu Feb 22 10:11:27 -0800 2007 2313122 17956 jcanncuk 1 2339987 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. Wed Feb 28 19:45:27 -0800 2007 2313122 48403 bbc 1 2357433 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. Tue Mar 06 08:33:54 -0800 2007 2313122 49957 annimal 1 2357446 Gotta agree. Microplane all the way. In fact, now I have 2-one small rasp -one medium, I LOVE them both. Tue Mar 06 08:36:58 -0800 2007 2313122 49815 troutpoint 1 2357964 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. Tue Mar 06 10:16:35 -0800 2007 2313122 80141 ccbweb 1 2358894 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! Tue Mar 06 13:24:28 -0800 2007 2313122 70510 xnyorkr 1 2358917 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! Tue Mar 06 13:29:17 -0800 2007 2313122 24738 LJS 1 2375862 microplane all the way. it's true what they all say. worth the money. Sun Mar 11 20:13:46 -0700 2007 2313122 42707 brekkie_fan 1 2376605 a zester dulls and is nearly impossible to sharpen well. a microplane remains sharp (so watch out) for years. Mon Mar 12 07:39:15 -0700 2007 2313122 36312 HillJ