8 Best Cherry Pitters for Canning (September 2026) Top Tested

A cherry pitter is a small handheld kitchen tool with a spring-loaded plunger that pushes a cherry’s pit out the bottom when you squeeze the handle, leaving a clean hole in the fruit. The best cherry pitters for canning in 2026 include the OXO Good Grips, OXO Quick Release Multi, Leifheit, and Westmark Kirschomat — each one lets you process pounds of fruit without turning your kitchen into a crime scene.

Every summer our team pits between 15 and 30 pounds of cherries across multiple canning sessions. We started with a cheap plastic pitter that snapped on the second bowl of Montmorencys, then graduated through chopsticks, a pastry tip hack, and finally a real fleet of dedicated tools. This guide shares what survived a full cherry season and what we’d buy again tomorrow.

If you are putting up jars of cherry pie filling, jam, or whole preserved cherries, the right pitter turns a four-hour slog into a one-hour job. The eight models below cover everything from a starter handheld under ten bucks to a German-made workhorse that processes 33 pounds an hour.

Top 3 Cherry Pitters for Canning at a Glance

Best Cherry Pitters for Canning in 2026

1. OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter – Best Overall for Canning

This is the pitter I grab first whenever I bring home a flat of Bings. OXO built the cup wide enough to fit the largest Rainier I could find at the farmers’ market, and the recessed inner ring still catches smaller sour cherries without crushing them. I pitted 12 pounds of sweet cherries for a pie-filling batch in about 40 minutes, and the removable splatter shield kept my white shirt shockingly clean.

The serrated zinc plunger punches clean through flesh and pit every single time on ripe fruit. The shield slides off in two seconds for a quick rinse, and the whole tool clicks shut so I can toss it in a kitchen drawer without snagging on anything else. It also handled a jar of Castelvetrano olives for a weeknight tapenade without complaint.

One thing I learned the hard way: check every cherry as you go. About one in twenty pits stayed inside the fruit on the first squeeze, usually because the cherry rolled to one side of the cup. A quick squeeze again cleared it, but on a busy canning day you do not want to discover an unpitted cherry floating in your jar. The shield also leaks a little spray on the very first squeeze, so I angle the whole tool toward the cutting board for the first few pits.

The Better Guarantee from OXO is the real peace-of-mind factor. I cracked my first unit by dropping it on tile after two seasons, emailed OXO, and a replacement showed up within a week. For a tool that gets used dozens of times a year for canning, that guarantee matters more than any feature spec.

Cherry size compatibility

This pitter handled Bing, Rainier, and Montmorency without an issue. Large supermarket cherries sit snug in the outer cup, while smaller sour cherries drop into the recessed inner ring. If you process mixed varieties in one session, this is the only handheld pitter I would trust to switch between them without readjusting.

Cleanup after a long day

The shield lifts off and the plunger rinses clean in ten seconds. I run it through the dishwasher on the top rack every few batches. The lock-shut design also means I can shove it in a drawer full of wooden spoons without poking anything.

2. OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter – Best for Large Batches

The Multi Cherry Pitter is the tool I pull out when I have more than 10 pounds of fruit to process. Six plungers fire at once and the catch tray holds a full pound of pits, so I can move through a flat of Bings without stopping to dump anything. My jam batches went from a 90-minute chore to about 25 minutes once I switched to this model.

The adjustable base is the unsung hero. It telescopes down for a wide salad bowl and up for a narrow canning pot, so the pitted cherries drop directly into whatever I am packing. Fewer hands touching the fruit means cleaner jars, especially when I am doing raw-pack preserves.

Loading speed is the trade-off. Each cherry has to land stem-side up in a precise slot, and the larger Rainiers sometimes roll off before I get all six loaded. Reviewers on r/Canning call this out too — it is genuinely faster per cherry, but only once you build a rhythm. I get about 30 cherries a minute after a 5-minute warm-up.

For batch canning, the math makes sense. A 25-pound cherry haul would take about three hours with a single handheld pitter and under an hour with the Multi. The stainless plungers rinse clean in seconds and the whole frame goes in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Cherry size compatibility

Best with uniform medium cherries. Bing and Lambert drop in cleanly. Extra-large Rainiers or very small Montmorencys need a bit of finesse — I sort by size and run small cherries in a separate pass.

Setup and storage footprint

The unit is 13 inches wide and lays flat in a deep drawer. It does not fold, so plan a little cabinet space if your kitchen is short on storage. The adjustable base slides smoothly and locks with a satisfying click.

3. Leifheit 37211 Cherry Pitter – Best for Easy Cleanup

The Leifheit is the cleanest countertop cherry pitter I have used. The cherries drop into a top hopper, the plunger pushes the pit through, and the pit falls into a sealed lower container. At the end of the session I pull the container out and rinse it — no juice spray, no loose pits rolling around the cutting board.

Throughput is the other big win. The spec sheet says 25 pounds per hour and in real-world testing I got through a 15-pound batch in roughly 40 minutes. The stainless steel plunger pierces cleanly and most cherries come out whole enough for canning whole-fruit preserves.

Where the Leifheit struggles is with very small tart cherries. If I rushed, I missed maybe one in three pits on the smallest Montmorencys. Slowing down and aligning each cherry in the hopper fixed the issue, but it removed some of the speed advantage for that specific variety.

Cherry size compatibility

Sweet cherries are this pitter’s sweet spot. Bing, Lambert, and Rainier drop through cleanly. For sour cherries, plan to slow your pace and check every cherry before moving to the next batch.

Long-term durability

I have used mine for three canning seasons without any cracks. A handful of reviewers online report cracking after several years of heavy use, so inspect the plastic hopper each fall before you commit a full batch.

4. Westmark Kirschomat Cherry Pitter – Premium Pick for Bulk Canning

If you put up 25 pounds or more of cherries in a single session, the Kirschomat is the workhorse to buy. Westmark rates it at 33 pounds per hour and that number checks out — I cleared 22 pounds of Bings in just under 45 minutes, including the time to swap bowls. The angled chute feeds cherries one at a time and the stainless plunger pierces with no tearing on ripe fruit.

The press-action handle is easier on the wrist than a squeeze pitter, which matters when you are doing multiple batches in a day. Several r/Canning users confirm the same thing — it is the pitter they reach for when they need to make serious progress without burning out their hands.

The two recurring complaints are occasional missed pits and a plastic plunger that can shed shavings after a few seasons. I keep a small paring knife nearby to re-pit any stragglers and inspect the plunger tip at the start of each season. The unit also likes to come apart mid-use if you grab it by the wrong edge, so I keep one hand on the base whenever I reload.

Cherry size compatibility

Built for medium to large sweet cherries. Very large Rainiers can be tough to seat in the chute, but Bing and Lambert slide right in. Sour cherries work but require a careful hand.

Throughput for a full canning session

For a 25-pound Montmorency batch I would budget 50 minutes including setup. Pair it with one of the best electric pressure cookers for canning at home and you can go from bush to jar in one afternoon.

5. Westmark Kernex Cherry Pitter – Best Compact Heavy-Duty

The Kernex has been on German kitchen counters for decades and it shows. The cast aluminum body has zero flex, the spring snaps back crisply, and after three canning seasons mine still looks new. It weighs almost nothing but feels substantial in the hand, which is exactly what you want for hours of pitting.

This is the pitter I recommend for sour cherry lovers. The smaller cup is purpose-built for Montmorency-sized fruit, and the plunger pushes the pit through with no tearing. Reviewers on r/specializedtools noted the same — it is their go-to for 20-plus pound batches of tart cherries.

The trade-off is large sweet cherries. Extra-large Bings can split if you are not gentle, and the cherry juice does fly out the bottom when the plunger retracts. I keep a small bowl underneath to catch the spray and run the cherries through one at a time rather than racing.

Cherry size compatibility

Excellent for sour and native cherries. Medium sweet cherries work fine. Very large supermarket cherries can be a tight squeeze and may crush if you press too hard.

Storage and build quality

About the size of a pair of kitchen shears, so it fits in any utensil drawer. The cast aluminum will outlast every plastic pitter on this list and survives years of dishwasher cycles without rusting.

6. Ordekcity Stainless Steel Cherry Pitter – Budget Pick

If you only pit a few pounds of cherries a year, the Ordekcity is the cheapest tool that still feels solid. The stainless plunger punches a cherry in roughly one second, the rebound spring keeps my hand from cramping, and the whole thing locks shut so I can store it in a junk drawer without worry.

I handed it to my neighbor for a single cherry jam session. She pitted 8 pounds in about 20 minutes and reported zero mechanical issues. The food-grade silicone and stainless steel body wiped clean in seconds, which is all most casual canners need.

Two real caveats: the cherry has to be seated stem-side up for the pit to fully clear, and pressing at an angle can damage the silicone cup. Both are minor learning-curve issues, but worth knowing before you start a batch. For a sub-ten-buck tool with a 24-month warranty, this is the best starter cherry pitter we have tested.

Cherry size compatibility

Best for medium sweet cherries. Very large or very small cherries need a careful hand. For sour Montmorencys, the Westmark Kernex is a better fit.

Warranty and value

A 24-month warranty is unusual at this price point and shows the brand stands behind the build. For someone pitting a few pounds each summer, this is the obvious buy.

7. ProTensils Cherry Pitter – Best for Small Hands

The ProTensils is the pitter my mother borrowed and refused to give back. She has small hands and arthritis, and the chunky zinc alloy body fits her grip without squeezing. The non-slip sleeve absorbs pressure and the whole tool weighs just enough to feel like a real kitchen implement, not a plastic toy.

The pitting speed matches the Ordekcity at about one cherry per second when the fruit is properly aligned. The locking mechanism clicks shut for safe storage, and the zinc alloy shrugs off dishwasher cycles far better than ABS plastic.

Where the ProTensils stumbles is alignment. The plunger pin sits slightly off-center, so a tilted cherry can leave the pit half-pushed. I retrained myself to seat each cherry stem-up and the misses dropped to nearly zero. If you close the handle too aggressively the cherry can crush, so a gentle squeeze works best.

Cherry size compatibility

Medium sweet cherries work best. Large Rainiers and small Montmorencys both need a slower hand. The wide cup handles Bing without splitting.

Grip comfort for long sessions

The non-slip sleeve is the standout feature. After a 30-minute session my hand did not cramp — a real issue with cheaper plastic pitters that have hard edges. The compact 5-inch body also fits smaller hands comfortably.

8. EddHomes 7-in-1 Cherry Pitter – Best for Kids and Multi-Use

If you want a kid-friendly pitter that doubles as an olive and date tool, the EddHomes is worth a look. The pop-and-squeeze action is simple enough that my nine-year-old nephew cleared a bowl of cherries with no help, and the dishwasher-safe disassembly means I do not have to hand-wash a sticky toddler-sized tool.

The ABS body with a stainless steel cover feels tougher than the price suggests. I have used it for Castelvetrano olives, fresh dates, and a few rogue apricots, and it handled each job. The lock for the handle keeps everything closed in the drawer.

The trade-offs are real. The review share is lower than other models on this list, with a few one-star complaints about plastic parts cracking under heavy use. Alignment also matters — if the cherry is not perfectly seated, the plunger misses the pit. Treat it as a light-duty multi-tasker rather than a workhorse, and it is a great value.

Cherry size compatibility

Medium cherries of any variety. The 7-in-1 design also handles small olives and dates, which makes it the most versatile pitter on this list.

Multi-use and disassembly

The tool pops apart in three pieces for cleaning, which is the best feature for sticky cherry jam sessions. If you only process cherries once a year, the multi-function angle makes it worth considering over a single-purpose tool.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cherry Pitter for Canning

Canning puts specific demands on a cherry pitter that baking does not. You are processing pounds of fruit in one sitting, often in a hot kitchen, with sticky jars and pressure cookers nearby. Here is what to weigh before you buy.

Plunger material: stainless steel vs zinc vs plastic

A stainless steel plunger lasts the longest and resists rust through years of dishwasher cycles. Zinc and aluminum plungers work fine for a few seasons but can corrode if you leave wet cherries sitting in the tool. Plastic plungers are the weakest — they can shed shavings or crack after a heavy canning year.

Single vs multi cherry capacity

A single handheld pitter is the right choice for a few pounds of fruit. The OXO Multi and Leifheit push the time down dramatically for 10+ pound batches, but they cost more and take up more storage. Match the tool to your average batch size rather than your biggest one-day project.

Splatter guard and pit containment

Cherry juice stains clothes and counters. A removable splatter shield on the OXO Good Grips is the gold standard, and a sealed lower pit container (Leifheit) is even better. Open-hopper models like the Westmark Kirschomat work fast but expect a little spray.

Cherry size compatibility

Large Bings and Rainiers fit most cups easily. Sour Montmorencys need a smaller cup or a recessed inner ring. If you switch between varieties in the same session, the OXO Good Grips handles both without any adjustment.

Dishwasher safe and storage

Every pitter on this list is dishwasher safe. For storage, the lock-shut designs (OXO Good Grips, Ordekcity, EddHomes) fit in a drawer. Larger multi cherry units need a cabinet shelf or a deep drawer.

Throughput for a full canning session

Plan on 1 to 1.5 pounds per minute with a quality handheld. A 25-pound batch takes about 25 minutes with the OXO Multi and about 50 minutes with the Westmark Kirschomat. Budget extra time for setup, washing, and any re-pit stragglers.

Sour vs sweet cherry notes

Sour Montmorencys are the canning variety of choice because their flavor holds up under heat. They are smaller than sweet cherries, so pick a pitter with a smaller cup (Westmark Kernex) or a recessed ring (OXO Good Grips). Sweet Bings are easier to pit but produce a milder jam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Cherry Pitter Should You Buy for Canning?

For most home canners, the OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter is the right tool to buy first. It handles every cherry variety, the splatter shield actually works, and the lock-shut design fits in any drawer. For 10-plus pound batches, add the OXO Quick Release Multi to your lineup — it cuts pitting time in half and pairs perfectly with one of the best electric pressure cookers for canning at home.

If you process 25 pounds or more in a single session, jump to the Westmark Kirschomat for true workhorse throughput. Sour cherry specialists should look at the Westmark Kernex for its purpose-built smaller cup. And if you only need a starter tool, the Ordekcity under ten bucks is the cheapest pitter we have tested that still feels solid in the hand.

Whichever pitter you choose, set up your station with a rimmed baking sheet to catch stray juice, line up your jars and lids, and have your pitter, bowl, and trash bowl within arm’s reach. A good cherry pitter paired with a smooth workflow is the difference between a four-hour canning day and a relaxing afternoon in the kitchen. Happy canning.