How to Use a Microplane
- 1). Hold the handle of the Microplane firmly with the sharp teeth facing up as you press the other end of the grater onto a cutting board at an angle between 50 and 75 degrees.
- 2). Grab the food product and select a side with the length shreds that you desire or cut the food into smaller pieces to create smaller shreds.
- 3). Place the leading edge of the selected side of the food onto the top teeth of the Microplane and lower the remainder of the side as you push the food forward down the grater. Press harder for thicker ribbons, press lightly for thinner wispy scraps. The width of the shreds is determined by the width of the teeth on the Microplane.
- 4). Continue to raise the food product and slide its length down the Microplane until the food gets thinner than a half inch. Clear shredded product from the back of the grater as you go to avoid backup. Grating pieces of food once they get thin may lead to cuts on the knuckles and hands.
- 5). Clean the Microplane right away after each use with a nonabrasive sponge and hot soapy water before drying it thoroughly. The manufacturer claims that Microplanes are dishwasher safe, but rattling around inside a dishwasher will dull any sharp blade.
