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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
Hackedoffinoldage · 22/04/2026 16:29

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 🤣

Do you have a food processor with grater attachment? No wrist action required.

rightoguvnor · 22/04/2026 16:07

Just buy a handle operated grater and do your own
That potato starch stuff is put on to stop it sticking together but it makes it taste rubbery and also adds unnecessary carbohydrate to the diet

YummyPieCrust · 22/04/2026 15:56

YABU and this post is weird and I'm going for a walk now because I have learned too much about other peoples lives for today.

Isobel201 · 22/04/2026 15:56

I use pre-grated cheese all the time and never had any issues with the coating.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 22/04/2026 15:54

It is a first for me too. I’m sure it’s harmless and a little pointless.

WorstPaceScenario · 22/04/2026 15:54

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 🤣

This changes my reply! I was going to say that the hassle of washing it negates the convenience of it being pre-grated, and that freshly grated cheese is nicer and therefore YABU. However if washing it is easier for you than grating it, then why not? I'd just eat slightly shit starchy cheese TBH, but I'm objectively lazy

TheyGrewUp · 22/04/2026 15:54

SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 15:32

No im serious. I have taken a photo for you all, 2 piles of cheese, one pre grated unwashed and one washed rinsed and dried. Ill leave you to decide which you think is which 😀

You have all given me a little laugh, and made me question whether I am over-rinser? I shall ponder this tonight.

Thank you for all of the suggestions for electric mixers. I will have a look though them and choose one that is small and light enough, im not sure why I didnt think of that, my loss of strength in my joints has been slow and when you live and adapt all the time you sometimes forget about the obvious.

Best thread for years @SENcatsandfish.

Lemonthyme · 22/04/2026 15:52

Whichever one is which there's far too much "bend" on that cheese for it to have any decent maturity to it... And that's why I'd say buy it and grate it yourself. Then you know what you're getting.

Mintchocs · 22/04/2026 15:51

Peak mumsnet, 255 posts about whether you should wash cheese 😆

Redheadedstepchild · 22/04/2026 15:41

The washed cheese is on the right. Looks OK. To be fair, I HAD heard of people washing ready grated cheese before. On social media, admittedly and mostly in the US, where the anti caking agent most commonly used is cellulose rather than potato starch and could possibly be more offensive.

Bit of Metamucil with your grilled cheese anybody?

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 15:32

No im serious. I have taken a photo for you all, 2 piles of cheese, one pre grated unwashed and one washed rinsed and dried. Ill leave you to decide which you think is which 😀

You have all given me a little laugh, and made me question whether I am over-rinser? I shall ponder this tonight.

Thank you for all of the suggestions for electric mixers. I will have a look though them and choose one that is small and light enough, im not sure why I didnt think of that, my loss of strength in my joints has been slow and when you live and adapt all the time you sometimes forget about the obvious.

AIBU to wash my cheese?
OP posts:
StrikeForever · 22/04/2026 15:15

😂🤣 are you joking?

Thelittleweasel · 22/04/2026 15:15

@SENcatsandfish

Oh thank goodness -"Real life". I had feared this was some strange euphemism

Robyn847 · 22/04/2026 15:08

AIBU to wash my cheese?

Is this a euphemism?

Laurmolonlabe · 22/04/2026 15:08

Just buy cheese and grate it yourself- cheaper, and less faff.

Monty36 · 22/04/2026 15:05

Agree food processor. Have it done in a jiffy.

No to washing cheese. How on earth do you dry it ?

MummyWillow1 · 22/04/2026 14:38

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 🤣

Most food processors have a cheese grating attachment, grate the whole block, put in the fridge and use as required. Please stop washing your cheese. Purchasing a food processor will work out much cheaper in the long run and no more wet cheese.

Whosthetabbynow · 22/04/2026 14:30

Do you rinse out Dairylea Triangles also?

Phoenixfire1988 · 22/04/2026 14:29

SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 13:24

Ermmm yes, doesn't anyone else rinse their pasta? Do I have some weird rinsing obsession 🤣🤣

Show quote history

Yes, yes you do 🤣🤣🤣

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 22/04/2026 14:27

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 🤣

bless your heart @SENcatsandfish you do whatever you like with the blooming cheese!

Babybels?

Phoenixfire1988 · 22/04/2026 14:26

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 blender has a cheese grater on it ! Absolute game changer from someone who also has a dodgy wrist that makes grating painful.

likelysuspect · 22/04/2026 14:18

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

As much as Im enjoying rest of the information about cheese washing on this thread, the best bits are the people in self appointed moral righteousness, pursing their lips in judgement and waiting to jump on any poster that dare suggest grating the cheese because they have read the OP and based their answer on that only. Because why wouldnt you.

ToadRage · 22/04/2026 14:12

We have recently changed to pregrated cheese cos grating has become difficult for me. I have noticed the coating you mentioned but haven't seen a problem when melting. It never occurred to me to wash it.

Laiste · 22/04/2026 13:58

Does anyone remember 'rinse the mince' on here years ago?

(havent read whole thread - sorry if it's been said)

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