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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wash my cheese?

289 replies

SENcatsandfish · 21/04/2026 22:57

I buy pre grated cheese, but it always has that starch coating on and when it melts it goes a bit funny, and the texture and what it looks like put me off. So I chuck it in a sieve, rinse it, pat it dry and then use it as I normally would.

Someone looked at me as if id grown 2 heads when I was doing this so is it not a done thing? Am I the only person washing my cheese?

So, unreasonable = what on earth are you doing?
You are being reasonable = melted starchy cheese is gross

  • [Note from MNHQ: Please read OP's subsequent posts before responding, especially the very next post in which she explains that she has a condition that affects her joints, including her wrists, which can easily be dislocated by grating cheese...]
OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
KTMeetsTheRsUptown · 22/04/2026 00:17

SENcatsandfish · 21/04/2026 23:09

I should have added, I have a condition that effects my joints, and for me, especially the wrists, I could easily dislocate my wrist from grating cheese 🤣. Ive done similar for stupid reasons. Im a walking disaster, except when I fell down the stairs then I was a falling disaster. Apologies for the drip feed.

I cant seem to find an alternative that works. If I makes a difference I obviously use very cold water, be a right mess if I rinsed it with hot water 🤣

What about great idea 💡Thanks for this OP ❤️
I hate grating cheese too (painful aching wrist) and don’t like the starch on the cheese. I'm going to start washing my cheese too 😀

PickAChew · 22/04/2026 00:13

Is a food processor with a grater disc in your budget? As a pp said, cheese freezes well so you could grate a batch that way and freeze little bags of it.

Giraffehaver · 22/04/2026 00:12

Smell my cheese!

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 00:09

Villanousvillans · 21/04/2026 23:34

I have an electric cheese grater, it’s fab!

Do you think it would work for someone that has low joint strength? My joint supports are like cooked spaghetti for ligaments. Blush

OP posts:
AnotherName2025 · 22/04/2026 00:07

I empathise with neuropathy etc it makes the simplest things difficult or impossible.

maybe try different brands?

I find the Tesco's own brand grated is fine when melted, better than cathedral which is my 'go to' block of basic cheddar.

it does have potato starch in it, which I use to my advantage when making cheese sauce. I use double cream , a mix of (tesco grated) cheddar & mozzarella & and a huge amount of Coleman's mustard power & it's perfect.

i don't think there's anything wrong with what you do, but I think if would be easier to find a brand where you don't feel the need to do it & if you're anything like me, not adding to the washing up (with neuropathy it's enough doing any washing up without adding to it!)

Greenandyellowday · 21/04/2026 23:59

ErrolTheDragon · 21/04/2026 23:44

The title reminded me of the one where the OPs DH insisted on rinsing his mince.
(hastens to add that wasn’t a euphemism either)

This thread has me laughing out loud 🤣
Humour is so personal though, so no doubt there will be mumsnetters showing up any minute now, saying how the whole conversation grated on them.

Yetone · 21/04/2026 23:58

oviraptor21 · 21/04/2026 23:55

My food processor is fantastic at grating cheese.

Show quote history

Yes I do this with Parmesan and freeze in little bags but then you have the food processor bits to wash up.

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 21/04/2026 23:58

Villanousvillans · 21/04/2026 23:42

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOCHEER-Electric-Vegetable-Stainless-Vegetables/dp/B0DQ15MDWY

Show quote history

It slices too? Well isnt that fancy!

OP posts:
Shinyclean · 21/04/2026 23:57

i found that out by accident as im allergic to cornflour. No more cheese jackets when out.

Yetone · 21/04/2026 23:56

I buy grated cheese ( a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella) from Ocado because I am lazy. I have just looked at one of the packets I have in and yes it contains a small amount of potato starch. I don’t think this will do me any harm and it seems fine all the times I have used it.
The 2 tasks I hate most in the kitchen are grating cheese and washing lettuce. I buy bagged lettuce too.

oviraptor21 · 21/04/2026 23:55

SENcatsandfish · 21/04/2026 23:09

I should have added, I have a condition that effects my joints, and for me, especially the wrists, I could easily dislocate my wrist from grating cheese 🤣. Ive done similar for stupid reasons. Im a walking disaster, except when I fell down the stairs then I was a falling disaster. Apologies for the drip feed.

I cant seem to find an alternative that works. If I makes a difference I obviously use very cold water, be a right mess if I rinsed it with hot water 🤣

My food processor is fantastic at grating cheese.

PeloMom · 21/04/2026 23:54

There are electric cheese graters

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 21/04/2026 23:53

Shitmonger · 21/04/2026 23:32

I feel that cheese would have a distinct desire to remain unwashed.

Show quote history

Im not sure, violently disfigured be being grated a corner here, a corner over then. I should imagine after that trauma a little wash would be rather welcome.

OP posts:
Funnywonder · 21/04/2026 23:52

bumptybum · 21/04/2026 23:04

Cheese is a very odd word when you read it enough times

Yes🤣🤣

Redheadedstepchild · 21/04/2026 23:51

Do cheese slices have anti caking agents as well? I don't think so?
Depending on what you are using them for, they'd probably work well enough. Or rip them up a bit for easier melting purposes.

Actually, I think I've just roughly chopped or broken up blocks of cheese to put in a sauce before now in an equipment crisis.

TheyGrewUp · 21/04/2026 23:48

I've never noticed the starchy covering on grated cheese or any difference in tadte or texture.

Wondering if we should start a MNet Go Fund Me campaign to buy the op an electric grater.

Also wondering if this thread shoukd end up in classics.

Sorry about your health @SENcatsandfish. What's your other head called? May I venture SENcatsandcheese.

Firefly1987 · 21/04/2026 23:48

bythefire6 · 21/04/2026 23:36

Have you got a link?
I’ve grated my thumb twice now and ended up on antibiotics as it went down to the bone Blush
I bought a rotary one but it’s shit

Show quote history

Same- I got so sick of catching my thumb grating cheese (not as bad as you though you poor thing!) that I bought a rotary one but hate it. It's really hard to turn the handle, makes a huge mess and is a PIA to wash up if you don't have a dishwasher.

At least I've cut way down on cheese because of it.

CrotchetyQuaver · 21/04/2026 23:48

I've never heard anything so strange in my life, that stuff is tasteless and costs ££!! Can you not grate it using a food processor or a different type of grater?

Sevenwondersofthewoo · 21/04/2026 23:48

I thought I’d stepped back to covid times there.

rotary mincer thingy for grating or your food processor if you have one if you’ve joint problems my love.

bythefire6 · 21/04/2026 23:48

Villanousvillans · 21/04/2026 23:42

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOCHEER-Electric-Vegetable-Stainless-Vegetables/dp/B0DQ15MDWY

Show quote history

Ooh thank you! My thumb may be safe…

ErrolTheDragon · 21/04/2026 23:44

The title reminded me of the one where the OPs DH insisted on rinsing his mince.
(hastens to add that wasn’t a euphemism either)

TheArtfulNavyDreamer · 21/04/2026 23:43

Yes it’s really weird. No one wants your pre grated soggy cheese. Buy a block and grate it yourself.

Villanousvillans · 21/04/2026 23:42

bythefire6 · 21/04/2026 23:36

Have you got a link?
I’ve grated my thumb twice now and ended up on antibiotics as it went down to the bone Blush
I bought a rotary one but it’s shit

Show quote history

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOCHEER-Electric-Vegetable-Stainless-Vegetables/dp/B0DQ15MDWY

Amazon

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOCHEER-Electric-Vegetable-Stainless-Vegetables/dp/B0DQ15MDWY?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5520109-aibu-to-wash-my-cheese

SpidersAreShitheads · 21/04/2026 23:41

I'm getting my vote in now for this being one of the most entertaining titles to a MN post that I've ever read! 😂

Empress13 · 21/04/2026 23:41

🤢