Commercial cheese grater for hard cheese: a buying guide
A commercial cheese grater for hard cheese is an electric machine with a punched roller (drum) spinning at constant speed under a feed mouth: a pusher or pressure lever presses the piece against the drum and the grated cheese drops into a tray. Four things decide which one is right for you: the type of machine (stand-alone grater, combined mincer-grater or an attachment for a multi-purpose hub), the roller, the motor power and the size of the mouth compared with the pieces you grate every day.
This guide covers how to compare models, which cheeses and foods you can grate, how to clean the roller and which spare parts wear out most often, from the grater roller to the safety microswitch.
Types of electric grater for professional use
In shops and kitchens you will find three set-ups, each suited to different space, volume and budget constraints.
Stand-alone countertop grater
This is the dedicated machine: motor, gearbox, roller and feed mouth in one body, often die-cast aluminium. It is the usual choice for delis, cheese counters and restaurants that grate cheese every day. A good reference point is the Fama GS, which retailers list with a 750 W three-phase motor, a 140 x 75 mm roller, a 140 x 80 mm mouth and a maximum stated output of 70 kg/h. At the compact end, the RGV Maxi Vip 8 G/S is described with a 450 W motor and a removable stainless steel roller. See the machines in our professional graters category.
Combined meat mincer and grater
One motor drives the mincing head on one side and the grating head on the other. It suits butchers and delis that need both jobs in a small space and can live with not running them at the same time. Browse the combined meat mincer graters, single-phase and three-phase. For everything about the mincing side (size 12, 22 and 32 heads, plates and knives), read our professional meat grinder buying guide.
Grater attachment for multi-purpose hubs
Some home and light-commercial machines, such as RGV's Duetto multi-purpose units, take a grater attachment with a pusher and interchangeable rollers. It works for small volumes when you already own the motor unit, for example the grater attachment for the RGV New Duetto Plus.
Quick comparison
| Type | Best for | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stand-alone grater | Delis, cheese counters, restaurants grating daily | Dedicated machine, large mouth, roller built for hard cheese | Takes counter space, does one job |
| Mincer-grater combo | Butchers and delis short on space | Two jobs from one motor | Can't run both at once, two heads to clean |
| Attachment for a hub | Serious home cooks, small venues | Low cost if you already own the motor | Low volumes, small mouth |
The cheese grater roller: fixed or removable, materials and fineness
The roller is the heart of the machine: a punched cylinder with flanges at each end that connect it to the drive shaft. It sets the quality of the grated cheese and most of the maintenance work.
Fixed or removable roller
On machines with a removable roller (often released by a side knob) you can pull it out for washing and swap it in minutes. The RGV Maxi VIP 8GS, Robusta Silver and Maxi Essential ranges were designed this way, and their roller assemblies are listed under RGV Maxi VIP 8GS grater spare parts. With a fixed roller, cleaning takes longer and replacement means dismantling the head, so if you are buying new, a removable roller is almost always the more practical option.
Roller materials
- Punched stainless steel: the most common on commercial machines, resists corrosion and frequent washing.
- Chrome- or nickel-plated steel: steel rollers with a surface treatment, found on several Fama models and other brands.
- Aluminium: fitted to some older or entry-level models; needs gentler washing.
When replacing a roller, the material is not the only thing that matters: diameter, length and flange type must match the model. That is why rollers are sold by brand and size, such as the Fama 78 x 148 mm stainless roller with flanges. Our grater rollers category also covers FAC, Minerva and Quick Mill sizes, for example the Quick Mill grater roller, 68 mm diameter.
How fine the grate is
Fineness depends on the shape and size of the punched teeth and on how sharp their points still are. A new roller gives a fine, dry result; a worn one tears the cheese, warms it up and produces a coarser or stringy grate. If the output gets worse with the same cheese, suspect the roller first.
Motor power and speed
Countertop commercial graters usually have motors from a few hundred watts up to about 0.75 kW, single-phase (230 V) or three-phase (400 V). More power means the motor does not bog down when you press a large, well-aged piece, and copes with longer shifts. For the Fama GS, retailers list a drum speed of 1,400 rpm.
In practice, a pizzeria or trattoria grating a few kilos per service will be fine with a compact single-phase machine; a deli bagging grated cheese for sale or a central kitchen needs a heavier motor, and three-phase is worth considering if your supply allows it.
Feed mouth: how big a piece fits
The mouth decides whether a whole wedge goes in or whether you must cut it down first. On a commercial countertop grater it is in the region of 14 x 8 cm (the figure given for the Fama GS); compact machines and attachments are noticeably smaller. Measure the pieces you usually buy and compare them with the mouth before choosing: cutting every wedge into small chunks wastes time and creates more waste.
Electric grater for Parmesan, Pecorino and dry bread
A commercial grater is built for hard, dry food:
- Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, including the parts near the rind;
- Pecorino Romano and other aged pecorinos;
- dry bread for breadcrumbs, where the manufacturer allows it for that model;
- nuts and other hard ingredients, always following the manual.
What happens with fresh or young cheese
The cheese must be well aged and dry. Soft or moist cheese does not crumble: it gets pressed into the holes, clogs the roller, turns into a paste that heats up and strains the motor, and the result is sticky. Some countertop machines say so in their spec sheets: hard cheese only, not soft cheese such as Emmental. Bread is the same: it has to be properly dry or it packs onto the roller.
Cleaning the grater roller
- Switch off and unplug the machine before doing anything.
- Empty the tray and brush residue out of the mouth.
- Remove the roller (on removable models) and wash it in hot soapy water, using a small brush to clear the holes.
- Wipe the parts that do not come off, such as the hopper and housing, with a damp cloth.
- Dry the roller thoroughly before refitting. Only put it in the dishwasher if the manufacturer says that roller is dishwasher-safe: harsh detergents damage aluminium parts.
Safety: pusher, lever and microswitch
A commercial grater sold in the European Union must carry the CE mark under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (to be replaced by the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027). The guards you will find on a well-made machine are:
- pusher or pressure lever: presses the cheese against the roller so your hands never get near the teeth;
- safety microswitch: the motor only runs with the lever down or the mouth closed;
- guard grid under the roller, so it cannot be reached from the outlet;
- low-voltage controls on models that have them.
Before every shift, check that lifting the lever stops the motor. If it keeps running, the microswitch must be checked or replaced straight away, for example with the microswitch for the RGV 8G/07 grater.
Grater spare parts: what wears out
| Part | Typical symptom | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Roller | Coarse or stringy grate, cheese warming up | Replace with a roller of the same size and flanges |
| Bearings and bushes | Noise, play in the roller, vibration | Replace at a service centre |
| Microswitch | Machine won't start, or won't stop when the lever is raised | Replace at once, never bypass it |
| Pusher and lever | Play, breakage, poor closing | Fit the original part for that model |
| Switch panel and control board | Controls not responding | Electrical check, then replacement |
You will find these parts under grater spare parts, sorted by brand and model. If you are not sure which part you need, our guide to original vs aftermarket spare parts explains how to identify it.
Checklist: choosing a commercial cheese grater
- Which cheeses do you grate, and how much per day?
- Do you need only a grater, or a mincer too?
- Is the roller removable, and what is it made of?
- Does the mouth take the pieces you usually buy?
- Do you have a three-phase supply or only single-phase?
- Does the machine have a pusher with microswitch and a guard grid?
- Are rollers and spare parts for that model easy to find?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a commercial and a home cheese grater?
A commercial grater has a motor built to work for long periods on well-aged cheese, a larger mouth and spare parts that stay available for years. Home electric graters have lower power and are meant for small, occasional amounts.
Can I grate fresh cheese in an electric grater?
No. Fresh or soft cheese clogs the roller holes and turns to paste. A commercial electric grater is designed for hard, aged cheese such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano.
How do I know the grater roller needs replacing?
When the same cheese starts coming out coarser, stringy or warm, the roller teeth are worn. A bent roller or one with damaged flanges should also be replaced.
Where can I find RGV grater spare parts?
RGV parts are found by model: rollers, roller assemblies, microswitches and trays sit in dedicated categories, for example RGV Robusta Junior grater parts. We also have an article on the RGV Robusta Junior.
Is a combined mincer-grater a good choice?
Yes, if space is tight and you don't grate continuously: one motor does two jobs. If you grate all day, a dedicated grater is more convenient.
Can I grate dry bread?
Yes, on many models, as long as the bread is completely dry and the manufacturer's manual allows it. Bread that is still soft packs onto the roller just like fresh cheese.
Conclusion
Choose a commercial cheese grater by starting from what you grate and how much, then look at the roller, motor, mouth and safety features. Browse our professional graters and grater rollers; if your machine needs servicing in Rome or the Lazio region, contact our repair and service team.