19 Surprising Things You Didn't Know You Could Grate

Anyone who enjoys cooking probably has, or at least knows of, a cheese grater. It was invented more than 400 years ago to shred cheese—but it’s handy for prepping more than just that. Check it out:First, a few tips on caring for your grater.To avoid a messy clean cleanup, spray your grater with cooking spray before each use.Clean it as soon as you’re done using it to avoid food bits getting stuck. If you don’t clean it soon after use and food has dried onto your grater, grate a potato to help remove stuck-on food. Freezing your grater will also help remove dried food.Don’t wash your grater in the dishwasher—this will dull its blades.1. Grate a tiny amount of charcoal and mix it with kosher salt for a smoky accent.Via Savory Spice ShopUse 1 tablespoon of grated charcoal for every cup of salt. Use hardwood charcoal—not the chemically treated kind.2. Shred frozen butter for meat, vegetables, and pastries.Via Linzers In LondonDon’t have a pastry cutter? Grated butter incorporates quickly i...