Hot take: I used to treat my microplane like a cheese grater

For the first year in my kitchen, I'd just push a lemon down the microplane like it was a box grater, getting pulp and seeds everywhere. Then a sous chef in Chicago grabbed my wrist and said, 'Pull it toward you, you're making a mess!' Has anyone else had a basic tool technique you were doing totally wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

lilyr2512d ago

Honestly, I did the same thing with a vegetable peeler. Was scraping away from myself for ages before a friend pointed out you get a better, safer peel going toward you.

the_ryan12d ago

Yeah it feels totally wrong at first, like you're gonna peel your thumb off lol. But the blade angle actually catches the skin way better when you pull it toward you. You use way less force so it's actually safer once you get the hang of it. Just keep your fingers out of the path and use short, controlled strokes. Total game changer for potatoes and carrots.

olivia_allen9d ago

Wait, that's not quite right. Pulling toward you works for Y peelers, but not the old swivel kind. Those are actually meant to push away from your body for safety.