Handheld Slicers, Graters & Mashers

A Y peeler has its blade set across a Y-shaped frame, so you pull it toward you in wide, even strokes, which suits peeling potatoes, carrots, and apples quickly and with less wrist strain. A straight peeler has the blade in line with the handle and is worth having for people who prefer that grip. The Winco "Y" Peeler is stainless steel with a soft, non-slip handle and comes in straight or serrated edges, and the Winco Straight Peeler With Soft Grip Handle comes in the same two edges. Both are dishwasher safe and NSF listed. A serrated edge grips softer skins like tomatoes and peaches, so it's the one to reach for on those.

A zester removes only the thin, coloured outer peel of a citrus fruit in fine shreds, leaving the bitter white pith behind, which is what you want for dressings, desserts, and garnishes. A grater cuts the whole food into pieces, and the size of the holes decides the result: fine for hard cheese, garlic, and ginger, medium coarse for vegetables and softer cheese. The Winco Grater With Soft Grip Handle comes in zester, fine, medium coarse, and ribbon styles, so one style per job keeps flavours from carrying over. Each has an etched 18/8 stainless steel blade and a cover to protect it in a drawer or on a shelf. You can grate with a zester in a pinch, but it will be slow.

A julienne peeler cuts vegetables into thin, even matchsticks as you pull it down the length of a carrot, zucchini, or potato, which makes it useful for slaws, salads, stir-fries, and garnishes. It's not the same as a Y peeler, which only takes off the skin, so a kitchen that makes a lot of julienned vegetables will want both. The Winco Julienne Peeler With Soft Grip Handle is stainless steel with a comfortable, non-slip handle, and it's dishwasher safe and NSF listed. For a few portions at a time it's quicker than knifing julienne, and it gives thin strips that cook fast and look neat on the plate.