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Black-handled Microplane Premium Classic zester with a narrow stainless blade on a white background

The real product. The opinion is still ours.

KitchenproductMicroplane

The Grater That Leaves the Pith Behind

Microplane’s Premium Classic zester in black, model 46020: a narrow stainless grater for citrus zest, hard cheese, garlic, and ginger.

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Added October 9, 2026 · 0 looks · 0 clicks

Why we love it

A box grater is a commitment and a knuckle. The Microplane Premium Classic is the narrow one that takes the yellow off a lemon and leaves the bitter white part on the fruit, where it belongs.

We love it for the unfancy reason cooks keep buying the same tool. Photo-etched stainless teeth, made in the USA, a soft handle, a cover for the drawer, and a blade that turns Parmesan into the fluffy pile a pasta actually wants. Model 46020, the black one. It is dishwasher-safe if you are in a hurry, and kinder to the edge if you rinse it. When we looked, Amazon had it at $17.95, in stock, sold by Microplane, and it was Amazon’s Choice. Under $20, no size chart, and it disappears into a gift the way a good tool should.

It will not replace the chef’s knife. It will finish the dish the knife started. The peeler can keep the potato. This one keeps the zest.

The longer story

This is the Microplane Premium Classic Series zester in black, model 46020 (manufacturer part 46020E). Microplane’s notes: a long, narrow grater with a photo-etched stainless blade, a soft-touch handle, non-scratch end tabs, and a protective cover. The blade is made in the USA. The listing’s length is about 12 inches. It is the tool for citrus zest, hard cheese, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, and chocolate. Microplane says you can put it in the dishwasher, and also that a rinse right after use keeps the teeth easier to clean.

Good for

  • Lemon zest, a snowfall of Parmesan, and the garlic that should have been a paste
  • A gift under $20 for someone who cooks and does not need a size
  • The black one, if that is the handle you meant

Skip it if

  • You wanted a wide ribbon grater, a box grater, or a peeler. This page is the classic zester
  • You need a different color. The handle menu is long. This link opens on black, model 46020
  • You are buying it for someone who will store it uncovered in a crowded drawer. The cover is part of the tool

When we looked, it was $17.95, in stock, sold by Microplane and shipped by Amazon. The deal link is the Amazon page (/dp/B00151WA06) with our Amazon Associates tag threepaths-20. Confirm the color says Black before you check out.

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