Twelve pounds of fresh cherries to pit? No problem. This ingenious and surprisingly inexpensive cherry pitter makes it easy.
The whole spring-loaded pitter is affixed to the lid of a canning jar. A hole in the lid allows the pit to fall through while the cherry stays nestled on top. Since the lid also screws onto a standard canning jar, the pits stay neatly contained in the jar below.
After some trial and error, I found it easiest to operate the pitter with my thumb. I cupped the jar with my fingers and punched down with my thumb, using the other hand to place and remove the cherries. I switched hands a few times, but neither thumb felt overly fatigued even after going through several pounds of cherries.
This also separates the pits from the cherries very cleanly with very little loss of cherry flesh. Some of the very ripe cherries did release a lot of juice, but it was easy enough to strain the juice collected in the bottom jar back into the bowl.
No matter what, several pounds of cherries is going to take a while to pit. But this pitter certainly made the job a lot easier and less annoying. It's a vast improvement over the clamp-like pitters I've seen before or the syringe-style pitter my mother and grandmother use.
I found this one at the farmstand where I bought my cherries for a very reasonable $10. They're also available on Amazon if you're having trouble finding them in stores:
• Buy It! Push Button Cherry Pitter, $9.95 on Amazon
Do any of you use this cherry pitter? Or have another one that you love?
Related: No Cherry Pitter? Use a Chopstick
(Images: Emma Christensen)
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My mom and I tried the OXO pitter, and found that it was hard to use and frequently punched to the side of the pit. With the pits collecting in the reservoir, it soon became hard to be sure the pit had been removed. We started using large size paper clips to punch in and scoop out the pits. We had hardly any flesh and juice lost with this method. Depending on how many cherries you're pitting, you can end up with pruny fingers with this method, but you know for sure the pits are out. Went pretty quickly for us.
I have one of the standard metal ones you can get many places for a few bucks. I used to try to pit with a knife but it was slow and messy, then I tried the paper clip thing and it worked but my fingers got so sore--it was hard to hold on to it through several pounds of cherries. Finally broke down and bought the pitter and I am SO happy I did. I really only pit a large number of cherries once or twice a year maybe, but it was so worth it for the convenience. I love the look of this one too and would get it if I didn't already have a pitter!
aha! knew there had to be an alternative to the squeeze types. thank you!!
I found one at a grocery store that is spring-loaded, efficient, saves cherry flesh, has a compartment that stores pits, and does FOUR CHERRIES AT ONCE! It's really great! They have it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-International-GPC-5000-Cherry--Multiple/dp/B0026RI3TU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311190478&sr=8-1
This is going on my wish list. I already have the mini Ball jar to use it on. :)
I love this cherry pitter! It's so easy to use and makes really quick work of a massive pile of cherries.
Brilliant! Running off to order one now!
I definitely agree with the first commenter about the paper clip method. It's so easy and leaves less damage.
http://eatlocal365.com/2011/07/21/how-to-pit-a-cherry-with-a-paper-clip-video/
We carry them at my store, The Brooklyn Kitchen!
Best story: the guy who invented these (some grandfatherly retired guy in the Midwest) sends us a list of his favorite jokes with every package! Our most recent delivery even came with a candy bar! (Yes in the middle of July).
But really, these things are the greatest. My s.o. found it so enjoyable, he requested to pit my 10# bag of cherries himself. Apparently tt never got old.
I wonder if this works on olives?
Too bad I didn't see this as I just bought a new one today! My old one--the clamp style--broke on its third use. And as many have pointed out it was hard to see if the pits had been removed anyway. I am going to check out the paper clip link, but somehow I can't imagine getting very fast at it!
I want this one! I have tendonitis issues in both hands & the opposable thumb thing does not work for me...but a whack with the fist will :) Not to mention the bonus of being compact & easily stored in my 9' x 6' kitchen!