Microplane Home Series Fine Cheese Grater: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-19

Summary

The Home Series Fine Grater is a wide paddle grater with a USA-made photochemically etched surgical-steel blade for hard cheese, citrus zest, ginger, garlic, nuts, spices and chocolate. No independent test outlet has measured this exact model, owners report Microplane blades dulling with use, and the maker’s own storefront rates this SKU 3.8 against 4.9 for the coarse and 5.0 for the extra-coarse sibling. The only recurring cost is a $1.00 replacement cover, and at $15.99 direct it is an easy buy for occasional fine grating and zesting.

Common problems and fixes

Blade dulls with use — r/BuyItForLife owners call Microplanes “not a BIFL product”; the blade is not replaceable, so the tool is replaced when it eases off. [4]
Lower owner satisfaction than sibling blades — the maker’s storefront rates this fine SKU 3.8 versus 4.9 for the coarse and 5.0 for the extra-coarse Home Series graters. [2]
Dishwasher label versus blade-care guidance — it is labeled dishwasher-safe, but the maker says dry it thoroughly after washing to maintain sharpness, and Wirecutter recommends hand-washing to prolong blade life. [1][3][5]
Narrower plane is the better-evidenced fine tool — Wirecutter’s tested Premium Classic zester zests and shreds more efficiently than most paddle or rasp graters, so ask what the extra width buys. [3]
No spare-blade or parts channel — the grater is a wear-out-and-replace tool; the only related accessory is the replacement cover. [2]

Parts and consumables

Home Series replacement cover — $1.00 direct from Microplane; replace when the original cover is lost or damaged. [2]
Blade — not replaceable; the tool is replaced instead. [2]

Yearly running cost

None beyond food; a replacement cover is $1.00. [2]

When it is a good buy

Microplane lists the Home Series Fine Grater at $15.99 in black or red, the Coarse and Extra Coarse siblings at $16.50 each, the three-piece set at $32.99 (regular $49.50) and the Savor Series fine grater at $18.99. At $15.99 it is an easy buy for occasional hard-cheese and zesting work; for heavy daily fine work the better-evidenced alternative is Wirecutter’s tested Premium Classic zester at $18, whose narrow plane Wirecutter’s testing favors for fine work; above about $20 ask what the extra width buys you. [1][2][3][6]