Microplane 40020 Classic Zester: 8-Inch Grating Surface and Cover

The Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater is a narrow, single-purpose kitchen tool that makes sense when you care more about fine citrus zest and delicate hard-cheese shavings than about bulk shredding. This article covers the exact black model 40020, mapped to Amazon US child ASIN B00004S7V8 and UPC 098399400204.

Microplane’s current official page lists a 12-inch overall length, an 8-by-1-inch grating surface, a hard plastic ergonomic handle, a reusable protective cover, and a surgical-grade stainless-steel blade made in the USA and assembled in Mexico. Current 2026 market tracking for the exact ASIN shows roughly 4.8 stars, about 11.5K reviews, and around 1,000 units per month.

The narrow 8-inch surface is built for fine finishing work

The 40020 is not trying to be a box grater. Its long, narrow blade gives you a controlled surface for moving a lemon, lime, or block of hard cheese across the cutting teeth while keeping the tool easy to angle over a plate, bowl, or cutting board.

Microplane specifically positions the Classic Zester/Grater for citrus zest and hard cheeses such as Parmesan. That makes the tool strongest at the finishing stage of cooking: adding fragrant zest to a vinaigrette or dessert, or producing fine cheese shavings that melt quickly over pasta and salads.

The limitation follows directly from that specialization. There is only one narrow grating pattern. If you need coarse vegetable shreds, broad slices, or several grating sizes in one tool, a box grater or multi-surface grater is more versatile. The Microplane earns its drawer space by doing one fine-texture job cleanly rather than covering every prep task.

The hard handle and slim body are easy to control and store

Microplane lists the full tool at 12 x 1 5/16 x 1 inches, with an 8 x 1-inch active grating surface. That slim shape makes it easier to store flat in a drawer or hang by the handle than a bulky box grater.

The handle on this Classic version is hard plastic rather than the soft-touch handle used on some Premium Classic models. That distinction matters if you are choosing among Microplane lines: model 40020 is the black Classic hard-handle version, not a soft-grip sibling.

The included cover is part of the ownership value. It protects the cutting surface in storage and reduces the chance of brushing a hand against exposed teeth while reaching into a utensil drawer. Microplane recommends replacing the cover after use.

Cleaning is simple, but the blade deserves careful handling

Microplane recommends hand washing this model. If you do use a dishwasher, the company says to place it in the utensil compartment. That is a useful middle ground for buyers who want dishwasher compatibility but are willing to hand wash when practical.

The bigger maintenance point is safety. Microplane explicitly warns that the blade is very sharp and advises avoiding direct contact with the teeth during use and cleaning. A sponge dragged against the cutting direction can catch on the blade, so rinsing promptly and using a brush or careful hand washing is a more sensible routine than scrubbing aggressively.

The reusable cover should go back on only after the tool is clean and dry. That keeps the sharp surface protected without trapping food residue.

The value comes from precision, not from replacing every grater

Current 2026 tracking places exact B00004S7V8 in a mature, well-reviewed part of the grater market, but ratings alone are not the reason to buy it. The useful question is whether your cooking repeatedly needs very fine zest or hard-cheese shavings.

Choose the black Microplane 40020 if you regularly zest citrus, grate Parmesan or similar hard cheese, want a long narrow tool that can work directly over a dish, and prefer a protective cover for drawer storage. Skip it if you mainly shred potatoes, carrots, cabbage, or large amounts of softer cheese, because a larger multi-surface grater will be faster and more flexible.

Its strongest buying case is specialization: an 8-inch fine grating surface, a simple hard handle, a protective cover, and a sharp blade designed around finishing ingredients rather than high-volume prep.