Best Cherry Pitters for Pies & Snacks

A cherry pitter is the difference between stained fingers and a clean, fast prep session when you are baking pies, making jam, or packing snacks. The best cherry pitters seat the fruit securely, push the pit out cleanly, and contain the juice. Below are five pitters worth buying, plus a guide to choosing the right one.

Top Picks

1. Heavy-Duty Stainless Cherry & Olive Pitter

Built from heavy-duty stainless steel with a space-saving lock, this pitter holds up to frequent use for jam-making and baking. It handles both cherries and olives and folds down compactly for the drawer.

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2. OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter

OXO adds a pressure-absorbing, non-slip grip and a splatter shield that keeps juice off your clothes and counter. A generous holder fits large Bing and Rainier cherries as well as smaller olives.

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3. ProTensils Cherry Pitter

With a locking mechanism and a quick plunger action, this pitter removes pits in about a second without mangling the fruit. It is a solid pick when you have a colander of cherries to get through.

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4. Cheer Collection Stainless Pitter

An ergonomic one-hand design lets you pit cherries and olives quickly with minimal effort and mess. The stainless body is easy to rinse and resists staining from cherry juice.

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5. 6-Hole Multi-Cherry Pitter

This model pits up to six cherries at a time, a real time-saver when you are prepping for pies or preserving. A space-saving lock keeps it tidy between uses.

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Single vs. Multi-Hole Pitters

Single-hole pitters give you the most control and fit a wide range of cherry sizes, making them the everyday choice. Multi-hole models pit several cherries per stroke, which is a major time-saver during preserving season but less forgiving of odd-sized fruit. If you only pit a handful at a time for snacks, a single-hole pitter is plenty, much like reaching for a simple tool over a full best vegetable choppers for fast prep.

What to Look For

Look for stainless steel construction that resists cherry stains, a comfortable grip, and a splatter shield to keep juice contained. A locking mechanism helps with compact storage. If hand strength is limited, prioritize cushioned grips like those found on ergonomic kitchen tools for easy grip and weighted utensils for weak grip. Check the holder size if you regularly buy large cherries.

Who Should Buy One

Home bakers, jam and preserve makers, and parents portioning fruit for kids will all use a pitter often through cherry season. It sits comfortably in the same prep drawer as strawberry hullers and stem removers and best avocado slicers. Cocktail enthusiasts also use pitters for olives and homemade brandied cherries, so a dual cherry-and-olive model earns its place year-round.

Care and Cleaning

Cherry juice stains fast, so rinse the pitter immediately after use and wash before the residue dries. Stainless models clean up easily and many are dishwasher safe. For more on keeping small gadgets in good shape, browse our picks for metal kitchen utensils and tools and the broader list of must-have kitchen gadgets for home cooks.

Pitting Without the Mess

Cherry juice stains hands, clothing, and grout, so set up before you start. Work over a deep bowl, wear an apron, and consider a model with a built-in splatter shield. Seat each cherry fully in the cup with the stem hole facing the plunger so the pit pushes straight out the bottom. Going slowly for the first dozen helps you find the rhythm, after which a single-hole pitter can clear a bowl quickly. For preserving big hauls, a multi-hole pitter cuts the time dramatically, though you will want consistently sized cherries to feed it.

Choosing for Olives and Cocktails

Because cherries and olives are similar in size, most pitters handle both, which makes them surprisingly useful for home bartenders. The same tool that preps pie cherries will pit olives for tapenade and martinis or make brandied cocktail cherries from fresh fruit. If you mainly want olives, check that the holder accommodates the larger Castelvetrano or Cerignola varieties, since some compact pitters are sized only for small fruit. A sturdy stainless model that resists staining is the most versatile year-round choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cherry pitter also pit olives?

Yes. Most cherry pitters are sized to handle both cherries and olives, which is why many are labeled as cherry and olive pitters. Very large olives may need a model with a bigger holder.

How do I keep cherry juice from splattering?

Pit cherries inside a deep bowl or choose a model with a built-in splatter shield. Working slowly and keeping the fruit fully seated in the cup also reduces spray.

Are cherry pitters worth it for pies and jam?

Absolutely. Pitting by hand is slow and stains everything. A pitter pays for itself the first time you make a cherry pie or a batch of jam, especially a multi-hole model.

Will a pitter work on large cherries like Rainier?

Check the holder size. Models like the OXO are designed to fit large Bing and Rainier cherries. Smaller budget pitters may struggle with oversized fruit.

How do I clean a cherry pitter?

Rinse it right after use so juice does not dry in the mechanism, then wash with warm soapy water. Many stainless models are dishwasher safe, though hand washing reaches the plunger best.

For more fruit-prep tools, see our roundups of strawberry hullers and stem removers, banana slicers for quick snacks, and best kitchen gadgets worth buying.