AIBU to wash my cheese?

I'm with OP on the grated cheese. I do also have block cheese, but, the more you handle it the more likely it is to get mouldy in my experience, so especially with the kids, I have a pack of grated mozzerella/cheddar in the freezer that they use to make pizzas, then the block is for nice things like sandwiches/toast/cheese sauce/snacks.

Washing it is a step too far though. That is a bit weird I'll grant you.

I would consider buying a block, grating and freezing that.. probably if I compared prices that's what I would do - except real mozzerella and the pre-grated stuff are such different animals, and I don't think you can freeze the real stuff.

I'm sure this will have suggested up-thread, but you need to get a food processor that has attachments for slicing and grating, as well as chopping and blending. It will be a game-changer for you if you have difficulties with the kinds of wrist and hand movements you need for food prep. You just pop the grater disc on and gently push the cheese through the tube at the top while it's switched on.

I don't have any disabilities but I use my food processor for grating cheese in large quantities because grating by hand really annoys me! I grate root veg with it too for things like salads or gratin.

You know you can negate looking silly if you read the OPs updates.

Why am I so deeply troubled by this?

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.

I never thought of the listeria aspect 😯. Definitely worth buying a gadget instead of washing cheese in that case.

I didn’t know either till last year and have only bought block cheese since. I don’t exactly enjoy the grating process after buy pre-grated for so long, but am trying to stay as whole food/minimal processed as possible when I can.

This is both gross and weird.

I was picturing you rinsing off a block of cheddar under the tap, but this is even better 😂

This is what Mumsnet is all about

Sorry about your EDS - well done you for managing to keep a sense of humour.
This gadget might be helpful for you
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5790401?utm_custom6=LIA&deeplink=true&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:598-923-9094|cid:20435174830|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:5820117939874223888|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:1007064&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20435174830&utm_term=5790401&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=598-923-9094&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671802213&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9mzMPMKDp02jG4dS7Js2FdHm&gclid=CjwKCAjw46HPBhAMEiwASZpLRMamuuF4ZSARKw6C3qJ08yOA2-neMH-RDmHlOiqIClQ3irme7ULw1xoCMGcQAvD_BwE

Or you could just get yourself a food prep slave that you grate you some cheese , crop you some veg and portion them and put them in your freezer put them in your freezer. you could reward them with gin but make them unscrew the top

Pre grated cheese is generally coated in potato starch and cellulose, derived from wood pulp, to prevent it sticking together. It often has natamycin as well, which is a natural mould inhibitor made from fermented bacteria. Delicious😂

I thought it was a euphemism.

I thought you meant you could get gloves with the cheese grater bits on them. Thinking about it what an amazing invention that would be!

My mother in law did during the joy of Covid and I thought she was insane then.

It’s only ever acceptable to wash the queens cheese. And that’s only if it’s an excuse to get out of attending your mothers posh tennis club event

Yes, I have EDS too and use this for chopping and grating so much stuff:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-Compact-FP120-Food-Processor/dp/B001C3DRDG/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3J69GMT0HOJ0K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BI8YJH9lTjBSv4hqhe7a_nT9dMIfr-AeWPHkXB1eyZTCBltGPgOFrcBG028-TuJm3AKj8dYUbXiRyw72I2mlJ-CZKETgQRfVYY9C4PzWKP5gRZ1BiBakLUDanoQ_vjVuYRp3-fuxO5yoG7AqWZ9eqmDbIi0L0wlszGRm-3VjWjFM_DCC4tbsSlLtlze7m5sd2_HdzSe0eNO4DpMn2KOQ91kNv-4GlJ5QopfYWW7MyTs.XqQ0ahTdTUOevR2igK1b3RLHDNL0xfZz5dzIGsjiVJA&dib_tag=se&keywords=moulinex%2Bfood%2Bprocessor&qid=1776851834&sprefix=moulinex%2B%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3-spons&aref=QABRontO6N&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Take a look at the video in the link though, you do have do a twisting motion to get the lid on (shown in vid) - I find it fine but I know the degrees of EDS can really vary. In the video they show grating a carrot which means you have to use a bit of pressure to push down, but cheese is definitely easier and I put my forearm on the plastic wotsit and use my bodyweight to lean in slightly so it's no effort on my hands!

Surely less hassle to just grate a block?

Electric grater?

Grate a big block of cheese, spread it in a thin layer on a tray, and open freeze it. When frozen, transfer it to a freezer bag or container, and you can spoon it out as needed. It will defrost quickly, and stay fresh until needed. I adopted this method when I had teens at home, because every meal they made seemed to involve grated cheese, and the kitchen ended up sprinkled with bits 🙄

I mean, it's weird as hell, but it's not affecting anyone, so you do you! 😂

Get grating gloves. Much cheaper than a fancy electric grater. You can grate merrily away and no fiddly bits to wash (oo-er missus).

https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-cut-resistant-gloves-grey-black-large/610RV?tc=JT3&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19822796828&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPxrWHVF8K137UyatHKx_P1JJ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgp3ZjpeBlAMVTpxQBh1hAwE2EAQYAyABEgLTjPD_BwE

Pop It through the food processor in batches and keep in a container in the fridge?