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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:
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8
MonsterasEverywhere · 22/04/2026 13:44

Initially, I thought "Yes of course that is unreasonable" but afte reading further, as a fellow bendy person, I feel your pain! I ended up buying a Magimix food processor and use it for grating things, kneading dough, breadcrumbs, blending soup, slicing veg, and so on. It's an investment, but I've used it for so many things now that I think it's paid for itself.

SwatTheTwit · 22/04/2026 13:36

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

I suspect you do 🤣🤣

darksideofthetoon · 22/04/2026 13:36

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...]

Sounds like the pre grated cheese contains something to stop it sticking - they do this with cheap table salt too.

Just buy real cheese and grate it.

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 13:26

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this made me laugh

OP posts:
Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 13:26

KatherineJ1775 · 22/04/2026 08:35

You are undoubtedly a psychopath

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this made me laugh

OP posts:
TiredMummma · 22/04/2026 13:24

Just buy a grater?

Original poster
SENcatsandfish · 22/04/2026 13:24

SwatTheTwit · 22/04/2026 07:54

Do you also rinse your cooked pasta?

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

OP posts:
Doone22 · 22/04/2026 13:24

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 🤣

You should have started with that 🤣
Now everyone thinks you're bonkers!

I have a food processor with grater attachment. But a block, grate it, tub it, pop in fridge

Doone22 · 22/04/2026 13:21

Lifesyoungdream · 21/04/2026 22:58

Would it not be easier and cheaper to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself.

And a million times quicker

Freda69 · 22/04/2026 13:20

I’m sorry I voted unreasonable but hadn’t realised you had problems with hand/wrist strength. Have you got a relative/friend who could grate you a block and then freeze portions?
Goodgrips utensils can be really helpful- my main issue is jam jars and tins with pull up rings

Usernamenotav · 22/04/2026 13:16

This is bonkers. If you don't like the coating, just buy a block of cheese and grate it? Will take no more time than it does to wash the cheese.
Can't believe i just used 'wash the cheese' in a sentence.

MrsArcher23 · 22/04/2026 13:05

Pre grated cheese is always coated to prevent it sticking. If you can’t grate it manually yourself, use an electric grater?

DreamyScroller · 22/04/2026 13:04

TelevisualArseGravy · 22/04/2026 10:15

Not if you have bothered to read the OPs posts. She can't grate cheese so your comment is monstrously unhelpful.

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Yes, I commented shortly afterwards that I made the initial comment before reading that, excuse me. Not the end of the world is it love. Sit down and have a cup of tea.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 22/04/2026 13:02

This is bonkers but has made me laugh so much. The whole idea of pre-grated cheese is convenience and saving time. It would be quicker to just grate a block of cheese than faff about like this surely?

Madarch · 22/04/2026 13:02

Joke thread, surely!

hahabahbag · 22/04/2026 13:01

Electric grater? Most will do multiple foods so would help with chopping other things too

PloddingAlong21 · 22/04/2026 12:59

This is the first thread that’s actually had me laugh out loud. Never heard of anyone doing this. Proper funny.

Sasha07 · 22/04/2026 12:52

I've got a similar thing going on. I've found the IKEA rotary grater alright if I'm doing just a little amount but for buffets etc, out comes the food processor! Done in seconds. Might be worth getting something like that and doing a whole block if you'll use it up soon enough?

Washed cheese gives me the same 🤢 feeling as the horrible starchy grated stuff, but hey, if it works! I've done some weird things in my time but so long as it gets the job done... 😬😁

ruethewhirl · 22/04/2026 12:37

This reply has been deleted

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

Do you need a lie down?

ruethewhirl · 22/04/2026 12:36

Giraffehaver · 22/04/2026 00:12

Smell my cheese!

My brain went straight there too! 😆

DoubleEspressoForMe · 22/04/2026 12:34

Utterly baffled to be honest. I don't understand pre grated cheese. What is the point of your going to the effort of washing it?

C8H10N4O2 · 22/04/2026 12:27

This reply has been deleted

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

It was the OP’s second post and was on the first page.

TheDehumidifierNeedsEmptying · 22/04/2026 12:23

Just when I thought I’d heard everything.

I also want to know who the 6% are that voted YABNU! You mean to tell me there’s more of you cheese washing nut jobs out there?!

GiantTeddyIsTired · 22/04/2026 12:20

C8H10N4O2 · 22/04/2026 11:50

What sort of quantities are you normally cooking? ie for a large family or just one/two people?

I have skeletal issues as well (but not EDS) and with all the family at home I found my Kenwood + attachments or old Magimix + attachments handled all the chopping, slicing, grating, pureeing, juice squeezing, grinding I could want. It was worth the investment. I also had someone handy to lift them onto the counter for me!

Now I’m mostly cooking for just me and I use one of the hand blender + attachment combos. Mine is the Braun 9 plus attachments from this range: https://www.braunhousehold.com/en-gb/c/food-preparation/hand-blenders

Its smaller, lightweight and perfectly manageable for me. There are cheaper models in the range and of course other makers.

Have a look at the options for this kind of device, maybe try one out if you can. You may find it transformative and that it negates the need to buy food ready chopped/grated.

Edited
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I use my braun hand blender for one thing or another most days, and the food processor/liquidiser basically never. The new ones with all the different attachments are fantastic.

It's the washing up I object to though - for some reason, they never seem to think about how to make it go in the dishwasher without collecting dirty water on the base/in the handle/INSIDE THE BASE (LOOKING AT YOU NINJA LIQUIDISER)

Picklelily99 · 22/04/2026 12:19

You are not being unreasonable, because it's purely your preference. *mad as a box of frogs tho, but not unreasonable!

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