The moHA! ginger grater has blades that are arranged in all directions for steady grating, as opposed to a one-directional rasp grater. But like with a wand-style rasp grater, moHA!'s cutting surface is made of sharp and durable precision-cut stainless steel. When you rotate the device, an integrated cleaning arm sweeps in a circular motion to scrape shavings off the blade, so all of the grated food ends up in your recipe, not stuck in crevices. A small compartment catches food shavings, for less mess and easier measuring; plus, the concave sides are comfortable to hold and allow you to keep a firm grip on the grater during use. The moHA! Ginger Grater has pieces that detach easily for cleaning, but the device stays together during use. When you're done using it, simply disassemble and toss it in the dishwasher.

Most pepper mills (this model also grinds spices) take forever to grind just one tablespoon. This new design—which we developed with Kuhn Rikon—is easy to use and produces all the spice you can use quickly and easily. Its innovative back-and-forth ratchet action is easier than a twist-style mill, especially for those with hand issues. The precision ceramic grinder is effective and durable, and the front-loading hopper is far easier than top-loading grinders, where half the spices inevitably spill during filling. Perhaps our favorite feature is the removable bottom container, which makes it easy to measure and transport spices to a stovetop pot or mixing bowl.

The gritty texture of Skeppshult's hand-held grinder makes it easier to coarsely grind spices and is designed so ingredients stay in a concentrated area for efficient crushing. The softly radiused iron base fits the hand well, and the walnut-wood top provides a better grip and looks beautiful. Weighing just over two pounds, it feels great, looks great and is a pleasure to use.

We strongly encourage grinding whole spices fresh for your recipes. Sure, it’s an extra step, but the flavor boost is transformative. That’s why we designed a Ratchet Grinder with Kuhn Rikon and these accompanying stacking spice jars, which snap onto the bottom of the spice mill for less mess and easy storage. These 3-tablespoon containers are just the right size for holding a small amount of spice without letting it go stale. We also love the containers for transporting small amounts of spices and seasonings in our lunch or picnic containers. A desk lunch will never be boring again.

This Mortar and Pestle's deep bowl, which is about 4.5 inches in diameter, will contain all of your spices as you're cracking or grinding, for fewer crumbs and bits on your kitchen counter. The pestle is 7 inches long and tapered to allow for comfort and control—a firm grip on the pestle makes grinding easier on your hand, and you won't have to worry about scraping it against the edges of the bowl. And, since the mortar is solid all the way through to its base, it provides a stable foundation for grinding spices finely or crushing herbs to release their aromas, as with our Italian-style Spicy Garlic and Herb Oil. This version, carved from unpolished granite, has a generous 2-cup capacity, which means you can make larger quantities of pesto or chimichurri at a time than with other brands.

Japanese company Kai, who makes our favorite poultry shears, also produces a line of kitchen graters: the Pure Komachi Series, which has sharper cutting edges than most brands because its stainless steel is precision-cut using an innovative etching method. This magenta Julienne Slicer produces fine ribbons that are slightly thinner than a matchstick and too fussy to cut by hand. It's excellent for delicate shreds of cheese that won’t immediately melt when sprinkled on your dish and for hard vegetables. Grate ginger with the grain, not against, for shreds perfectly sized to add to stir-fries and soups. The grater's ergonomic handles are made of plastic treated with a nonslip coating that wraps around the whole device to form a grippy base at the other end, which is helpful if you choose to brace the grater against a surface.

Japanese company Kai, who makes our favorite poultry shears, also produces a line of kitchen graters: the Pure Komachi Series, which has sharper cutting edges than most brands because its stainless steel is precision-cut using an innovative etching method. The Fine Grater & Zester, which comes in a cool slate gray hue, shreds food similar to a wand-style rasp grater, but with finer, more delicate results—it's also easier to clean. We especially like it for a dusting of lemon zest or nutmeg over a dish. The ergonomic handles are made of plastic treated with a nonslip coating that wraps around the whole device to form a grippy base at the other end, which is helpful if you choose to brace the grater against a surface.

This box grater features four cutting sides—coarse grate, medium grate, fine grate and slice—all made from etched metal, which increases each blade’s sharpness and durability, and they won’t buckle under pressure. And unlike other brands, which often have a thick frame of metal or plastic between each cutting surface, Cusipro extends each of their grater's cutting surfaces to the edge: more area means easier slicing, quicker grating and less work, so you can tackle soft foods like certain cheeses and sturdy veggies like carrots with ease. Plus, there aren’t any extra nooks and crannies for bits of food to get stuck in, making for easier cleanup. Its ergonomic top handle is coated in comfortable, nonslip rubber, and the grater has a rubberized detachable base that holds it steady, measures volume and collects the gratings. You can simply grate, measure, remove and dump directly into your pan without extra fuss.

This sturdy, stable coarse-holed grater is terrific for much more than just cheese. We grate all manner of vegetables for slaw, stale bread for crumbs, apples for sauce. We also follow the lead of Middle Eastern cooks and grate onions and tomatoes to a pulp, which melt quickly into sauces.

Every kitchen needs a box grater, and this clever design by Danish company Eva Solo is a pleasure to use compared to other models. The large stainless steel cylinder acts like a cup to contain food as it is grated, so you can easily see how much you've grated and transfer the food to your dish when you're done—compare this to standard box graters that create untidy piles of shavings. About 60% of the grater's circumference is covered with grating holes, in traditional coarse and fine sizes, and we found it very easy to brace the tool with one hand while grating with the other. Eva Solo's product is also easy to clean, as it is dishwasher-safe and large enough to wash thoroughly by hand.

• Dimensions: Height: 8 inches, Diameter: 4.75 inches
• Material: Stainless steel
• Care: Dishwasher-safe

This mortar and pestle set from German company Zassenhaus is durable, efficient and easy to use, with ergonomic handles and convenient pour spouts for less mess. The nearly indestructible cast iron is ideal for grinding foods, as its coarse surface creates more friction to release aromatic compounds from spices and herbs and achieve a finer texture. And because the mortar is made from a single piece of metal, it can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than stone models. We also like that it's lightweight and more practical for daily use than cumbersome granite. And because it's thinner, both the sides and edge of the mortar are easier to grip while in use, for quicker, more effective grinding.

This mortar and pestle set from German company Zassenhaus is durable, efficient and easy to use, with ergonomic handles and convenient pour spouts for less mess. Because the mortar is made from a single piece of metal, it can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than stone models. We also like that it's lightweight and more practical for daily use than cumbersome granite. And because it's thinner, both the sides and edge of the mortar are easier to grip while in use, for quicker, more effective grinding. Its accompanying pestle is 7.5 inches long and tapered to allow for comfort and control—a firm grip on the pestle makes grinding easier on your hand, and you won't have to worry about banging your knuckles against the edges of the bowl.

Most pepper mills (this model also grinds spices) take forever to grind just one tablespoon. Kuhn Rikon's Epicurean Ratchet Grinder is easy to use and produces all the spice you can use quickly and easily. Its innovative back-and-forth ratchet action works more smoothly than a twist-style mill and is especially great for those with hand issues, as it's easier on the wrist. The stainless steel finish looks elegant and blends seamlessly into any kitchen. Simply unscrew the top, fill the grinder with spices, and choose your setting: A knob on the bottom of the device allows you to choose between a coarse or fine grind.

• Net Weight: 10.5 ounces
• Dimensions: Height: 8.5 inches | Diameter: 2.75 inches
• Materials: BPA-free materials
• Use: Do not use for cloves or anise, as they will destroy plastic.
• Care: Grind coarse salt to clean residue and spice aftertaste. Not dishwasher-safe.

Here at Milk Street, we love crushing spices or herbs by hand to create more variation in texture and extract more flavor, and a mortar and pestle allow us to blend them more precisely. The molcajete is a traditional Mexican variation of a mortar and pestle for grinding dried chilies to use in salsas or for making perfect guacamole. It has a shallower, wider bowl than a typical mortar—about 6 inches in diameter—which helps for closer control and more surface area to break down tough textures, like the skins of guajillo or ancho chilies. Plus, the molcajete is made of coarse and incredibly durable volcanic stone that creates plenty of natural friction. Its accompanying pestle is called a tejolote; at 3 inches long, it's perfectly proportional to the shallow bowl of the molcajete. Our food editor, Matt Card, says this tool is worth owning for guacamole if nothing else—the texture it yields is the ideal balance of creamy and chunky. Try our recipe for Central Mexican Guacamole, picked up from Mexican cooking doyenne Diana Kennedy.

Each molcajete comes in a one-of-a-kind, hand-woven and vibrantly colored basket made from palm leaves. It's meant to hold tortillas and has a lid to keep them warm, but we also like to use the basket to keep fruits and vegetables on the counter, such as tomatoes, onions or avocados for the guacamole you'll be making. It even makes an attractive container to store kitchen clutter—loose change, receipts and the like.

The gritty texture of Skeppshult's hand-held grinder makes it easier to coarsely grind spices and is designed so ingredients stay in a concentrated area for efficient crushing. The softly radiused iron base fits the hand well, and the walnut-wood top provides a better grip and looks beautiful. Weighing just over two pounds, it feels great, looks great and is a pleasure to use.

This charming ceramic pot functions as a two-in-one garlic storage container and grater. Three holes in the side provide ample air circulation to keep garlic fresh, while the jar shields the cloves from light, which can lead to sprouting. Our favorite feature is the lid, which conceals a grating surface on its underside. The ceramic nubs are arranged in a spiral pattern reminiscent of Japanese-style ginger graters; Mason Cash's adaptation is highly effective and easy to scrape clean. And unlike with wand-style graters, there are no sharp teeth that will scrape fingers or snag sponges or towels—in fact, the whole product is dishwasher-safe.

When you're freshly grinding whole spices, a standard-sized mortar and pestle will do the trick and produce flavorful, aromatic results. But for making fresh salsa, guacamole and the like, a bigger model is more efficient. Enter this extra large mortar and pestle with an impressive 5-cup capacity: Carved from unpolished granite, the set is naturally durable and perfectly textured for efficient grinding, whether you're turning fibrous ginger root into paste or breaking down the tough skins of rehydrated chili peppers. The mortar's deep bowl (with an 8-inch diameter) makes it ideal for preparing wet fresh ingredients such as curry pastes, chutneys or chimichurri, as they're less likely to splash onto your countertops. And we love the accompanying pestles, which have generous lengths of 8.5 inches and 6.5 inches; they're easy to grip and have a tapered shape that allows for better grip and control.

• Net Weight: 18 pounds
• Mortar Diameter: 8 inches
• Pestle Length: 8.5-inch and 6.5-inch pestles
• Capacity: 5 cups
• Material: Unpolished granite
• Care: Hand-wash only