Omcan GR-IT-1491-B 21 In. European Heavy-Duty Cheese Grater, Stainless Steel Drum, 2 HP Brake Motor, 1,400 RPM

A commercial cheese grater (also called a cheese grinder) is a heavy-duty machine built for hard cheese at speed. It handles parmigiano, pecorino, romano, and asiago at output a hand grater cannot match. Pizzerias, Italian restaurants, delis, catering kitchens, and bakeries use these machines daily. Tabletop drums shred about 100 pounds of cheese per hour. Industrial hydraulic units handle up to 3,300 pounds per hour.

The right machine depends on daily volume, cheese type, and where the unit sits in your kitchen. Output is measured in pounds per hour. Commercial models range from compact tabletop units up to high-volume rotary drum machines and industrial hydraulic graters. Hard, aged cheeses grate cleanly at rated output. Younger or wetter cheeses run slower and can clog the drum. Match the machine to your menu.

Every electric cheese grater in this collection is motor-driven for daily commercial use. Common configurations, buying guidance, and the questions buyers ask most often follow below.

Common Types and Configurations

• Rotary cheese grater: Perforated drum that grates hard cheese pressed against it. The standard commercial format and covers most of our catalog.
• Direct-gear-drive drum grater: Motor connects straight to the drum. Simpler maintenance and better torque under heavy load.
• Multi-disc tabletop shredder/grater: Interchangeable discs for grating, shredding, and slicing. Handles cheese plus coconut, vegetables, and nuts on the same machine.
• Hydraulic cheese grater: Industrial-volume unit running on a 20 HP motor with 1,200 to 3,300 pounds per hour output. Stainless steel construction throughout. Built for cheese-processing plants, large catering kitchens, and central commissaries.
• Motor sizes: 1.5 HP through 4 HP for tabletop and drum models, plus 20 HP for hydraulic units.
• Voltage options: 120V and 220V single-phase on the same model. Smaller units run on a standard 20-amp 120V circuit. Higher-output drum graters often need 220V single-phase service.
• Stainless steel drums and food-contact surfaces: For cleanability and food safety in daily commercial use.

What to Look at Before You Buy

• Daily grating volume: Match motor horsepower and pounds-per-hour rating to your peak day, not your average day. Size for Friday night service, not a slow Tuesday.
• Cheese type: Hard, aged cheeses grate at the rated output. Younger or wetter cheeses can drop output by 20 to 30 percent and may clog drums.
• Voltage and electrical service: Confirm the unit's voltage matches your kitchen. The same model is often offered in both 120V and 220V configurations, so check the spec sheet before ordering.
• Footprint and counter space: Tabletop units fit on a prep counter. Larger drum graters need a dedicated station with enough room around them for safe operation and cleaning.
• Operator safety features: Look for safety interlocks and blade guards. Commercial cheese graters use high-torque motors, and safety features prevent operators from contacting moving parts during use.
• Tool-free disassembly: Daily cleaning is required for food safety. Look for tool-free disassembly so staff break the unit down after every shift.
• Motor duty cycle: Continuous-duty motors handle long grating sessions without overheating. Intermittent-duty motors need rest breaks. For high-volume operations, continuous-duty is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cheese grinder the same as a cheese grater?

Yes. A cheese grinder is the same machine as a commercial cheese grater or hard cheese grater. The terms are used interchangeably in commercial foodservice. "Grater" is the most common name for equipment that processes hard, aged cheeses like parmigiano, pecorino, and asiago. Some shoppers also call these machines cheese shredders, though "shredder" usually refers to soft-cheese equipment with different blade geometry.

What size commercial cheese grater do I need?

Match the unit to your daily grating volume. If you grate up to 50 pounds per day, a tabletop unit with a 0.5 to 1.5 HP motor fits. For mid-volume kitchens at 50 to 200 pounds per day, a 1.5 to 2 HP drum grater is appropriate. High-volume restaurants and catering operations at 200 to 500 pounds per day need a heavy-duty 2 to 4 HP rotary drum unit. Industrial operations grating more than 500 pounds per day need a hydraulic cheese grater. These units are rated for 1,000 plus pounds per hour and run on 20 HP motors. Size for your busiest day, since peak demand and warm conditions both affect output.

Can I use a commercial cheese grater for foods other than cheese?

Yes, depending on the format. Multi-disc units accept disc swaps for grating, shredding, and slicing coconut, vegetables, breadcrumbs, dried herbs, chocolate, and nuts. Drum-style graters are optimized for hard cheese specifically and work less well for other foods. Always check the manufacturer's spec sheet for approved foods before grating anything other than cheese.

Related Categories

• Cheese Melters
• Commercial Peelers
• Food Processors
• Food Prep Equipment

Shop by Brand

• Sirman
• AMPTO
• Skyfood
• Omcan

For over 74 years, Omcan has been a trusted name in the foodservice industry across Canada and the United States. Built on consistency, credibility, and long-standing customer relationships, Omcan offers a dependable range of products to support a wide range of operations. With a global network and localized service, the brand delivers complete solutions—from smallwares to advanced equipment. In 2024, Omcan introduced the Trento brand, representing a curated lineup of European foodservice equipment available exclusively in North America. Whether supporting independent operators or institutional kitchens, Omcan is focused on practical performance and reliable service.