Best Lemon Zester Reviews [2024 ]

Ranking	Product	Price
1	Deiss PRO Citrus Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater	View On Amazon
2	OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester	View On Amazon
3	Raniaco Zester Stainless Steel Grater, Cheese, Lemon, Ginger & Potato Zester	View On Amazon
4	1Easylife Stainless Steel Lemon Zester Grater	View On Amazon
5	Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater	View On Amazon

You’ve decided that it’s time to add a simple handheld lemon zester to your kitchen utensil drawer.

Great!

But which one available for purchase would make the best lemon zester for your uses?

Should it be plastic or metal, cheap or worthy of a sizeable investment?

Don’t Worry!

We’ve collected five of the best lemon zesters and created a buying guide and completed lemon zester reviews to help you make the best decision.

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How to choose the Best Lemon Zester?

The best utensils are the ones that live in your busy kitchen drawers, are easy to grab and do the job you expect time after time without noticeable wear and tear.

Lemon zesters are no different.

Let’s figure out what features work together to create the best lemon zester worthy of a spot in your kitchen.

Stainless Steel Blade

Zesters are not inherently designed to be sharpened as they become dull over time, so the smart money goes to the lemon zester made out of heavy gauge stainless steel that will resist dulling, have an easy to maintain finish and can withstand all the vigorous use you will throw at it over the years.

Softer metals can warm, dent and lose their edge harming the fairly straightforward function of a good lemon zester.

Ergonomic Handle

The best zesters are engineered to work for both right-handed and left-handed cooks with a straight handle.

Look!

for a handle made out of soft or rubberized plastic that can withstand high enough heat to be sterilized without cracking or failing.

If you select a handle that is too soft, it will crumble over time–and nobody wants that. Check the connection of the blade to the handle.

Pressure-fitted handles tend to last the longest, while those secured with rivets are subject to failure as the rivets rust and become brittle with use.

Stick to simple designs as they are time tested for excellent performance.

Dishwasher Safe

Avoid grating your knuckles by struggling to clean your lemon zester by hand.

The tiny, sharp blades will also make short work of sponges, dishclothes and even scrub brushes.

Piping hot water and detergent delivered in a high-pressure stream is the most effective way to remove food particles from a zester while protecting your skin.

In short, if it can’t go in a dishwasher, you may avoid using this very handy utensil because it is too hard to get clean.

Cheap models found in bargain basements or dollar stores will often have statements that their stainless steel products are better off being washed by hand-a clear indication you are purchasing a subpar zester.

No Moving Parts

The modern instinct is to shop for gizmos and gadgets that require power, light and sound to achieve a simple task.

The best lemon zesters have avoided all the hype and stuck to a very simple design that involves no moving parts that can become loose over time.

The Bottom Line:

No machine will remove a teaspoon of zest from your favorite citrus fruit any faster or more effectively than a quality, single piece, stainless steel zester. Resist the pretty packaging and follow your solid cooking instincts.

Quality

You want a lemon zester that is constructed of quality materials. You want a zester that will allow you to put pressure on it without it breaking apart in your hand.

Look for a zester that is made from stainless steel. This will be high quality and also resist rust and corrosion.

Sharpness

You should look for a lemon zester that is sharp enough to zest the toughest rind. You want a zester that is capable of breaking through the skin but not go down to the pith.

The pith of citrus is known to be bitter and you want to avoid getting it in your food. There is nothing worse that a dull cutting surface.

Zest type

You want a lemon zester that is versatile and can zest and peel your citrus. You may want long thin peels, or you may want small bits of skin in your food or drinks. You want to make sure them lemon zester you pick can do both.

Storage

Often lemon zester or microplanes are incredibly sharp. You want a lemon zester that has a cover to protect your hands while the zester is being stored.

Some zesters have a loop that allows you to hang it while it is not in use. If you decide to purchase a microplane and you are not experienced with them, you may want to consider cut resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Warranty period

You want to buy a product from a company that believes in their product and provides excellent customer service. The best way for a company to do that is to offer a warranty on the product that will either give you a full refund or a replacement of the lemon zester.

Top 7 Best Lemon Zesters Are:

1. Best Overall: Deiss PRO Citrus Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater

Deiss PRO Citrus Lemon Zester and Cheese Grater

What You Will Love:Deiss has produced perhaps the last zester that you will ever want to buy.

Its simple design has no moving parts and boasts an incredibly sharp blade.

One swipe of your lemon and you’ll have expertly cut curls of zest ready to incorporate into your recipes.

The manufacturer suggests using the tool for grating spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg as well as hard cheese.

However, even if cheeses are hardened in the freezer, this zester has such small holes the cheese tends to clog.

But for lemons and limes, you won’t find a better one for the job.

Its super bright yellow handle is either a blessing or a curse.

You’ll be able to find it in a second among your standard black utensils, but it can be an eyesore in a designer kitchen.

Pros:

Soft solid grip
Super sharp and durable blade
Dishwasher safe
Protective cover included

Cons:

Does not grate cheese as advertised
Super bright color

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2. Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Lemon Zester

What You Will Love: Ah, OXO. Who doesn’t love to wander through a display of their cutting-edge kitchen utensils with funky handles and forward-thinking devices.

This lemon zester looks nothing like its competition and features a curved head with three small, sharp holes through which your peels are supposed to be cut.

It has a chubby silicone handle for a firm grip and like many OXO products, it has a friendly price point.

Now, as a lemon zester, this may not be your preferred choice.

Its cutting head is really designed to remove larger curls of zest from a lemon or lime to be used as decoration on a recipe.

Its secondary blade for even larger curls cannot be used by left-handed cooks.

Last of all, if you want a general purpose zester able to tackle spices as well as citrus, you are completely out of luck.

Pros:

Looks completely different and exciting
Low price point
Makes beautiful citrus curls for garnish and decoration

Cons:

Not a true zester for creating fine zest
Channel edge for twists arrives dull
For right-handed chefs only

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3. Best Stainless Steel lemon Zester: Raniaco Zester Stainless Steel Grater, Cheese, Lemon, Ginger & Potato Zester

What You Will Love:Like its bright yellow cousin, the Raniaco zester arrives ready to shave off just the right amount of peel from your limes and lemons.

It has a black silicone handle that is slightly longer than some others.

It has a reasonable price point and states that its blade is constructed of stainless steel.

This one pops into the dishwasher without protest, but it is recommended to simply wipe it down after each use to avoid food drying in the grate.

It would be nice if it handsome rubber feet at the tip of the grater such it could be held against the counter when in use.

However, after all is said and done, it does the job expected in a standard, conservative design.

Pros:

Black silicone handle matches existing kitchen decor
Easy to use
Sharp stainless steel blades

Cons:

Needs rubber feet for better stability
Hand wash recommended
Unknown gauge of stainless steel used

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4. Best Microplane Lemon Zester: Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater

What You Will Love:Sometimes the classic is still the best. The Microplane 40020 has been around for years and has earned the adoration of a fleet of fans.

Simple hard plastic handle attached to stainless steel blade shaped like a wood cutter’s chisel removes just the right amount of zest from your lemon while leaving the bitter pith behind.

It is priced low, but don’t let that discourage you. It is known to be a highly reliable product, when you receive the name brand product.

Comsumers should be aware that knock offs are out there and be careful who you order the item from.

Only Microplane sells the genuine article, and they don’t charge extra for their reliable zester.

Includes stabilizing rubber feet and storage cover.

Pros:

Time-tested product with excellent performance
Removes precisely the right amount of zest each time
Low price

Cons:

Knock offs will arrive without name brand on the handle
Cover is hand wash only

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5. Best Professional Lemon Zester: DRAGONN Best Premium Zester Grater

What You Will Love: The DRAGONN lemon zester appears much the same as the competition.

It is a little longer, with its blade measuring a full 8-inches and features a black plastic handle that is formed to fit your fingers comfortably.

It is constructed out of heavy duty stainless steel and is very sharp right out of the packaging.

However, its safety cover has cut outs in it to make it easier to remove, but it ends up leaving the super sharp grating surface exposed.

When rummaging in the drawer, you can cut yourself. Those with smaller hands will find its size can be a little difficult to use.

And it is priced a few dollars higher than other similar products without any apparent benefits to the cost.

Pros:

Blades are 18/8 stainless steel
Dishwasher safe
Lifetime warranty

Cons:

Priced higher
Cover doesn’t actually block the entire blade
Extra long design is difficult to use
Blades shaped for cheese, not citrus

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6. Runner-Up (Stainless Steel): 1Easylife Stainless Steel Lemon Zester Grater

What You Will Love: The 1Easylife Stainless Steel Lemon Zester Grater has an innovative design to easily remove the zest. It also has a hanging loop.

The 1Easylife stainless steel lemon zester is a best kitchen utensil because it has a stainless steel head with holes that are extra sharp to effectively remove the zest from citrus without also removing the pith.

This peeler is sharp so you should be careful when handling it, but it makes a great peeler for the same reason. You do not have to use much effort to peel your fruit.

Simply run the fruit over the peeler and you have all the peel you need.

The handle is rounded for easy grip. Your hand will not become tired or hurt from using these utensils. This lemon zester has a hanging loop so you can hang it when not in use.

The 1Easylife lemon zester is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. You can also run it under water. The peeler has a stainless steel blade that is etched to prevent corrosion.

1Easylife offers a 100 percent lifetime guarantee. If there is any problem with your lemon zester, they will completely refund your money or replace the zester.

Pros:

Innovative design to allow for easy zesting and peeling
Rounded handle to prevent hand cramps or fatigue
Extra sharp

Cons:

Inexpensive and boarding on cheaply made

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7. Runner-Up (Microplane): Microplane 46120 Premium Classic Series Zester Grater

What You Will Love: The Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester has razor sharp edges for quick zesting.

The Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester Grater is perfect for zesting citrus and ginger. It is an excellent hard cheese grater.

It is made from 18/8 stainless steel to allow for a durable and long life. It has razor sharp edges so you must be careful not to grate your hands. You might want to get cut resistant gloves to protect your hands.

The microplane has rubber feet that are non slip so you can rest the grater on the table for extra stability. The handle is soft and ergonomic so it is easy to hold in your hand.

This particular model has a red handle to add a touch of color to your kitchen utensils. It comes with a reusable cover to protect you from cutting cut while it is being stored.

The microplane itself is dishwasher safe, but the cover should be hand washed.

Pros:

Non slip rubber feet for stability

Cons:

You need to wear cut resistant gloves to protect your hands.

Check Price On Amazon

Which One is the Best Lemon Zester?

Every once in a great while you don’t have to spend tons of cash for a quality product. The Deiss PRO Citrus Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater is the best lemon zester, providing an ergonomic tool for an inexpensive cost that should last for years to come. Even if cheeses are hardened in the freezer, this zester has such small holes the cheese tends to clog.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our lemon zester reviews and buying guide for the best lemon zester and that it has helped you reach the right decision for your kitchen utensil purchase.

If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave them in the comments section below or share this article on your social media pages with your friends.

Lemon Zester vs Cheese Grater vs Microplane: Which one you Prefer Most?

A lemon zester, cheese grater and microplane are often mistaken for each other. They can function similarly, but they each have distinct differences among them.

A lemon zester is usually small, about four inches long, and can be held in your hand. It has small holes at the top along with ridges at a curved edge.

You are able to scrape small pieces of the citrus peel with the ridges across the top. You use the zester by using a small amount of pressure across the peel to remove the zest from the pith.

A cheese grater has sharp holes along the edge of it, usually down the side. You are able to create ribbons or thin shreds of fruit, or cheese, when you run it along the side of the grater.

There are many different types of cheese graters. There are box graters, which typically have different sized holes on each side allowing you to grate finely or coarsely. There are also hand held graters. These usually only have one size holes that can be used to grate cheese or citrus.

A microplane is a piece of steel attached to a handle. It is similar to a rasp. The steel usually has an incredibly fine, razor sharp edge. The handle is ergonomic so it sits comfortably in your hand. The sharp edge will not dull or rust. It grates food by digging into it.

I prefer a microplane because I like to hold the kitchen tool in my hand. Even though a microplane only comes with one edge, I believe it is still the best way to grate cheese or zest citrus.

You simply rub the cheese or citrus across the edge of edge and it is grated. A microplane can be used to grate directly over a plate or a bowl.

How To Use A Zester Properly?

A zester is a small and simple kitchen gadget. While it is simple in its design, it must be used properly for optimum performance. You glide the citrus over the zester which makes a pile of rind underneath the zester.

A zester prevents parts of the fruit from going all over the place. A zester also removes the rind without getting down to the pith. The pith is the white part under the rind. It often tastes bitter and you want to make sure you do not get that into your food.

When the food you are zesting gets down to a small amount, you should use your palm to slide the food over the zester so you do not cut your fingers.

Another tip is when you want to zest a soft cheese, put it in the freezer to make it a little harder and it will be easier to zest.

After extensive research, we have presented to you the best lemon zester in each category. We looked at the reviews of experts and consumers.

We reviewed all of the features they have to offer and took a hard look at the quality of each one. We examined their strength and durability.

We also looked at their prices to ensure you are getting value for the money you spend.

The seven listed above rose to the top of our list for the best lemon zester per group. Be sure to check out these lemon zesters before you buy your next one.