Zest gets the Best of me - Help!

[TBA]

I try to zest lemons, limes etc. but all that happens is a clogged micro plane. Recipes call for tablespoons of the stuff and I'm like "How in the hell?"

Is there a really good micro plane out there I should buy?

Any suggestions? How has anyone else solved this problem?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

1. I bought one for $12 at my local Publix. Been using it for over a year

with no issues. Before that, I used a parmesan cheese grater with limited success...

Here's the exact one I have on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S7V8/ref=asc_df_B00004S7V85438339/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00004S7V8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167142021489&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7677097114106735618&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011821&hvtargid=pla-78957070886

[bbrady42]

3. That's the one I use. It's great (no pun intended)

Be sure to use a light touch. The zest will gather on the back side, I just use my finger to slide it down into the bowl.

[Laffy Kat]

7. I have one of those.

I use it all the time for recipes that call for grated ginger.

[packman]

12. That's mine also - use it for cheese,zest,ginger,etc.

also use this:
https://www.amazon.com/HUELE-Stainless-Zester-Channel-Hanging/dp/B06WGVMW43/ref=sr_1_30?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1523650815&sr=1-30&keywords=zester




and of course to round things out, just a peeler for thin slices for other purposes -

[yellowdogintexas]

21. mine is similar to the top one but it is a Zyliss. I used the holes to get the finely shredded zest

I need to check out to see if mine has the feature you are using.

By the way I love it. We have another similar one from XO, but I do not like it as well.

[rsdsharp]

2. It could be that your microplane is getting dull. They don't last forever.

This is the best one I know.

https://www.amazon.com/Microplane-46020-Premium-Zester-Grater/dp/B00151WA06/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1523642397&sr=8-4&keywords=microplane+grater&dpID=31doAg1-NzL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

[TBA]

16. I was watching food network over the weekend

and this is the exact zester Ree Drummond used on he show. I'm going to get one, and the other style suggested in this thread.

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

4. I looked at my microplane...

And it says “Microplane” on the handle I’ve had it for years and probably got it at Bed Bath & Beyond. It works great on zest. Make sure your microplane and your citrus are dry. That seems to work best for me 😊

[Ohiogal]

5. I use a cheap old box grater

that I've had forever and it works fine. I just zested a lemon on it the other day. Like was already mentioned, make sure the lemon is dry.

[enough]

6. Me too. Works fine. NT

[yellowdogintexas]

22. I have not had much luck with the box grater

we have 2 of them.

[procon]

8. Whatever type of grater you use, keep a very light pressure on the critus and

rotate it frequently. You only want to scrape off the very topmost layer, not touch the bitter white pith just beneath the colored surface.

All my kitchen gadgets have been in use for at least a half century. I have a couple of different graters, a microplane, and a cute little ceramic dish with teeth, they all work fine. I don't think you need to worry about buying a new one, just modify your technique a bit.

[Major Nikon]

10. This

A clogged plane most likely means it’s taking too much off.

[procon]

11. That would be my guess as well.

It helps to know that zest is just the colorful outer skin of citrus fruits. Back in the day, my grandma just used a big knife like a razor to quickly scrape off that outer layer.

[dweller]

9. buy a zester

not a grater, and use cold citrus, room temp are too soft

I zest citrus daily fit a variety of reasons and a grater or micro plane doesn't work best

[Hortensis]

18. Will try both suggestions, thanks. I think I may already

have a zester at home that I forgot about. Hope so. I do have the Microplane posted above and it works very nicely, but I'm always up for improvement. The chilling sounds right, and I can confirm that immediately no matter what.

[dem in texas]

13. need a micro planer, a zester, small flat grater and box grater

I use all of the above. Depends on the recipe and the taste you want from the peel. Most of the time I use my micro planer, next, small flat grater, next, the zester and last of all the box grater. Micro planer can give you a too fine grate . The small flat grater gives you a nice small grate that is not stringy like the micro planer. I generally use the zester for lemon pie and when wanting some grated peel to decorate the top of a cake or pie. Also good for lime peel grating. The box grater is the stand-by and one I used for years. It makes a thicker grate and if the peel is to larger or thick, you can snip the grated peel with scissors - I have done this many times.

[Phentex]

14. I have this ultimate zester...

and it works well

[sir pball]

15. Pro tip - don't move the fruit along the zester, "shave" it instead.

If you need more than a light sprinkling of zest, hold the fruit in your off-hand and lightly swipe the plane across it, blade side down - imagine filing your nails and you'll get the idea. The zest will collect on the top of the plane so you can see how much you have, it's easy peasy to tip it into a bowl or scoop it off with a measuring spoon.

Agreed you probably don't need a new microplane but they DO get dull eventually. Maybe pick up a new one - so far I've found this guy to be the best, it's pretty much the only one you see in working kitchens: https://www.amazon.com/Microplane-40001-Stainless-Steel-Zester/dp/B00004S7V7/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1523806591&sr=1-7&keywords=microplane

[TBA]

17. Ooooh great tip!

[Hortensis]

19. Thanks, Sir Pball. I'm in the mood for tips after

trying to use the old box grater that came with this winter place to grate/zest a lemon the other day. That's on the way to the landfill now.

[TBA]

20. Retruning to share my good news

I took the advice of many and bought a Microplane (brand name) zester. My old one was a Kitchenaid zester.

Problem solved. Now I am a zesting fool!

Thanks everyone.