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Microplane Premium Zester Grater in After Dark Gray

By Microplane · Kitchen Utensils · Kitchen & Cooking

  • 12" x 1 5/16" x 1"
  • Grating surface 8" x 1"
  • Surgical grade stainless steel blade
  • TPE plastic handle
  • Blade made in USA

Price not listed

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Summary

A rasp-style zester and fine grater with a photo-etched stainless blade, soft-touch handle and a protective cover, for citrus zest, hard cheese, garlic, ginger and nutmeg.

Strengths

  • The photo-etched 400-tooth blade cuts zest and hard cheese with little effort.
  • The soft-touch handle and narrow profile stay comfortable through long prep.
  • Protective cover and non-scratch end tabs are included.
  • Handles citrus, hard cheese, garlic, ginger, nutmeg and chocolate.
  • The low replacement cost makes it easy to rebuy when the blade eases off.

Weaknesses

  • Wirecutter notes marketplace reviews of the plastic handle breaking off.
  • One owner found food collects under the unsealed handle and rasp junction.
  • One reviewer said the protective cover never fit back on after use.
  • There is no controlled longevity testing, so durability is anecdotal.
  • Only a damaged-on-arrival replacement is documented in the US; no formal warranty terms were found.

Verified specifications

Model46743 (Premium Classic Series, After Dark Grey).
Overall sizeabout 12 × 1 5/16 × 1 in.
Bladesurgical-grade stainless steel, photo-etched, 400 micro-teeth.
Handlesoft-touch TPE plastic.
Originblade made in USA, assembled in Mexico.
Dishwashertop-rack safe, though hand-washing extends blade life.
In the boxreusable protective cover and non-scratch end tabs.
Usescitrus zest, hard cheese, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, spices, truffle and nuts.
Warrantydamaged-on-arrival replacement; one Australian distributor cited a year.
Full research notes and sources

What the tests found

Serious Eats names it the favorite rasp-style grater. CNET’s kitchen-tool tester keeps one.

Durability and upkeep

The etched blade sets the lifespan. Australian owners report two of four graters flattening after about four years of regular use, another after about five years of near-daily use, blamed on soft metal; a distributor told one owner the warranty was only a year. Wirecutter staffers have used the tool for years without trouble, so treat the reports as a known wear pattern rather than a defect. Rinse it right after use, clear the non-sharp side, and hand-wash to keep the teeth sharp. Blade replacement is not offered; at this price the tool is replaced, not repaired.

Is it worth it?

Abt and the Microplane US store both list the After Dark Grey at $18.99 (2026); Preptainer lists it at $16.54 (2026), and Crate & Barrel Canada at CAD 26.95 (2026). The hard-handle Classic series uses the same blade for $12.99, so pay the difference only if you want the soft-touch handle and the cover. From $15-19 it is a well-supported buy; above $20 the value weakens.

Which model this is

This is model 46743, the Premium Classic Series zester in After Dark Grey, UPC 098399467436. It is the soft-touch-handle version of the original zester, distinct from the Classic hard-handle 40020, and from the Gourmet and Elite lines.

The Amazon listing is ASIN B09BB23WVP.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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