Cherry pitters on trial: rip my heart out!
25.7.2023
Translation: machine translated
Video: Valentina Sproge-Werndli
I've tested three machines that all have the same purpose: pitting cherries. The three machines work in different ways. There's no clear winner in the comparison.
I love kitchen appliances that have exactly one function. A raclette oven, for example, in which you place half a wheel of cheese. Or a frying pan that only makes pancakes. These appliances are unconditionally committed to a purpose, which is why I trust them in all circumstances.
Cherry pitters fall into this category. In summer, they're in full swing, before disappearing back into the kitchen cupboard or cellar. There are differences in the way they work, which is why I tested three devices.
The classic
My grandmother already had an appliance with this operating mode. In the summer, I was able to help pit cherries for cakes and jams. A sharp metal rod (plunger) pushes through the cherry, and hopefully the pit, into the container beneath the device. A spring mechanism retracts the metal rod and drops the cherry into a bowl. This didn't always work with my grandmother and it still takes practice today. The cherry has to be perfectly placed in the plunger, otherwise the device misses its target. There must be a way to do it better...
Source: Valentina Sproge-Werndli
The practical
The system is similar, but reduced to a handy pair of pliers. I insert the cherry into the clamp, tighten the clamp and it's done with a "click". Then the pit flies out the bottom and I unhook the cherry from the pliers. This takes time and the really big cherries are difficult to tighten and loosen. Because the fruit is so tightly packed, I managed to extract all the pits. Extra points for the shape, the Oxo device can be stored in a drawer.
Source: Valentina Sproge-Werndli
The efficient
This device pits seven cherries in one go. First I place them in the cells, then knock on the lid, where seven plastic rods push out the fruit stones. Then I have to remove the lid so that the cherries fall back into the trays. It all looks a lot more complicated than it is. In the video above, you can see exactly what I mean. In the trial, the machine worked mostly quickly and was relatively thorough. Only one stone out of 14 cherries tested got stuck in the pulp. Stitches are removed because of the amount of plastic. If you need to pit a lot of cherries at once, I'd recommend this appliance.
Source: Valentina Sproge-Werndli
Summary
I would use Oxo's small pitter. It stores easily in a drawer and works with precision. The fact that it's not the most efficient doesn't bother me. It's more than good enough for a cherry pie. Second place goes to Zyliss. This one works quickly and precisely, but it's harder to clean and takes up more space. The Leifheit classic isn't bad in itself, and with a bit of practice, it works just as well. However, I find it too bulky.
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
Cooking
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