Cherry pitter

A cherry pitter, also called a cherry stoner, is a kitchen tool that quickly and easily removes the central pit from cherries. Oregon State University Extension lists it among its tools, noting that some models remove one pit at a time while others can remove five or more at once.

The tool is used before preserving or baking: pitted cherries go into pies, clafoutis, jams, compotes and cakes, where a hidden pit would be a hazard. Most pitters work by pressing a small plunger through the cherry while the fruit sits in a cup, pushing the pit out the other side and leaving the fruit mostly whole.

Cherries often need to be pitted for drying and for many fillings. A pitter saves time over cutting each fruit with a paring knife and keeps the fruit neater. Pitting over a bowl catches the juice, which can go into the filling.