I've been through so many of these microplane graters but am only just figuring out that one should never, never buy from their so-called "Home Series" because no matter how much you coddle and hand wash it, the plastic surrounding the grater will surely and inevitably crack and break. The grating action is superb but only buy the professional series or another that is all metal. I'm fed up with the plastic being so crummy; my lastest one is breaking after about a year of use, which included only hand washing it. Frustrated.