Many people across the country own a grater but may not realise that all sides are used for different items. The grater is a kitchen essential for grating vegetables, cheese, and spices such as ginger or cinnamon.

But it turns out there is a secret fourth side that is forgotten about and is used specifically for this item. Chances are, there’s a genius grating technique you’ve overlooked but don’t worry, guidance is here.

Innovative methods to utilise our kitchen gadgets abound, whether it’s using your spoon’s hole to measure perfect spaghetti portions or tweaking the dishwasher to fit lofty wine glasses.

A revelation from an online foodie might just revolutionise your approach to the trusty grater. A Reddit user pondered the purpose of those minuscule holes on their grater: “All this has ever done is hurt my hand, but I’ve literally never used those small hole graters ever. Pretty much just use the other side for making grated cheese,” they confessed.

The online community shared their thoughts, as another user expressed their dilemma: “I have this exact one… and I’ve also assumed it was to make the cheese a bit smaller after grating. All it does though however, is f*** your hand up when you misshold it!! scrapes a good knuckle…”

However, seasoned cooks came to the rescue with some stellar advice, revealing: “Yeah, but it took years to figure out, Parmesan and lemon/orange/ lime zest is best shredded on those two sides,” reports the Mirror.

Another culinary enthusiast suggested: “Zest hard cheese or garlic, nutmeg, maybe ginger to make like a paste.”

Additionally, another eager cook pitched in, exclaiming, “Potato pancakes come out great with this side!” The cooking experts at Marthastewart.com have revealed their own grater tips with some real panache, adding: “The smaller shredding holes are designed to finely grate cheese, chocolate, vegetables, and more.”

Perfect for concocting delicate cheese shavings that blend effortlessly into sauces or dressings, the smallest grater openings have been highlighted by Reddit users which they suggested can be used for zesting lemons and grating soft spices like nutmeg.

Meanwhile, the broader slots stand ready for slicing tasks, parallel in function to the parts of the grater with larger holes.

Switch over to the side dashed with the widest shredding areas when dealing with semi-hard cheeses, carrots, and apples. It’s the preferred choice and the go-to for many.

In what can only be described as a culinary epiphany, one chef has also highlighted the correct technique to crack open a bottle of olive oil. Instead of discarding the little ring cap, cooks should do this hack instead.

The ingenious strategy, showcased in a sensational TikTok video, involves reversing the cap and reinserting it to govern your oil’s flow like an expert.

Stunned by the revelation, TikTok commentators quickly voiced their amazement, with one proclaiming: “So I have been living a lie my entire life.”

Another couldn’t hold back their surprise, adding, “How didn’t I know this until right now?!”.