Pitting olives can be a tedious and messy kitchen task, but the right tool makes it incredibly simple and efficient. Whether you’re preparing a large batch for tapenade, a salad, or a martini garnish, an olive pitter saves time and keeps your hands clean. With various designs available, from simple lever-action tools to more advanced models, there is a perfect pitter for every need and kitchen.
This roundup highlights the best olive pitters on the market, focusing on features like ease of use, cleanup, and durability. We have selected tools that handle a range of olive sizes and types, ensuring you can find a reliable helper to streamline your food preparation. Say goodbye to awkward knife work and hello to effortless pitting.
Our Top Olive Pitter Picks
- OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter, Red
- Cherry Pitter Olive Pitter Tool with Space-Saving Lock Design
- CUISIPRO Cherry Pitter, 1 EA
- Cherry Pitter Tool Pit Remover with Locking Mechanism
- OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter – Black
- Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Olive and Cherry Pitters Corer Tool
- Norpro Cherry Olive Pitter, 1-Pack, Red
- Chef’n QuickPit Cherry and Olive Pitter, Red
- Casbomy Stainless Steel Fruit Corer, Pit Remover, Olive Pitter Tool
- Kuhn Rikon Auto Release Olive Pitter
OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter, Red
The OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter is a favorite for its thoughtful design and user-friendly operation. Its generous cup is designed to hold large cherries and olives, while a recessed area accommodates smaller varieties, ensuring versatility. The tool is built for comfort with the signature OXO Good Grips handle that provides a secure, non-slip hold.
A key feature is the removable splatter shield, which effectively protects your work area and clothing from stray juice during the pitting process. This makes cleanup significantly easier and keeps your kitchen tidy. The straightforward squeeze-to-pit mechanism is reliable and requires minimal effort, making it a go-to for both occasional and frequent use.
Cherry Pitter Olive Pitter Tool with Space-Saving Lock Design
This cherry and olive pitter stands out for its practical storage and cleaning features. The tool disassembles easily for a thorough clean and is dishwasher safe, making post-use maintenance quick and simple. Its lock design allows it to be secured in a closed position, creating a compact unit that stores neatly in a drawer.
Operation is intuitive: simply place the fruit in the holder, align the punch bar, and squeeze. The comfortable handle is easy for most users to grip, and the simple action makes it a tool that even kids can help with. For those with limited storage space, this pitter’s ability to lock shut is a significant advantage.
CUISIPRO Cherry Pitter
The CUISIPRO Cherry Pitter features a uniquely designed scoop that simplifies the entire pitting process into a one-handed operation. This allows you to easily scoop cherries or olives from a bowl and pit them without switching hands or using a second tool. The generously sized holder is capable of accommodating larger fruits, providing great versatility.
An extra-long splash guard offers superior protection against juice splatter, keeping your countertops clean. Inside the holder, a silicone cup with flexible fins gently but securely holds the fruit in place during pitting, preventing it from slipping and ensuring a clean pit removal every time.
Cherry Pitter Tool Pit Remover with Locking Mechanism
Built for performance and durability, this pitter is crafted from premium zinc alloy to guarantee long-lasting use. It swiftly extracts pits in a mere second without damaging the fruit, making it efficient for processing large quantities. The design focuses on user comfort and tool longevity.
The handles are non-slip and pressure-absorbing, which greatly reduces hand stress and fatigue during repeated use. This makes the tool comfortable to hold and operate. A compact locking mechanism allows the pitter to be secured for storage, making it a space-efficient and sturdy addition to your kitchen tools.
OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter – Black
This model offers the same trusted functionality as the red OXO pitter in a sleek black finish. It features a generous cup that holds large varieties of cherries and olives, with a recessed design for smaller fruits. The ergonomic soft-grip handle ensures comfort and control during use.
The removable splatter shield is a key benefit, containing juice spray and protecting your clothing and countertops. This pitter is a reliable, no-fuss tool that performs consistently. Its thoughtful design elements make the task of pitting a wide range of fruits simple and mess-free.
Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Olive and Cherry Pitters Corer Tool
Constructed from stainless steel and food-grade silicone, this pitter is built for safety and extra durability. Its hand-held push design allows for easy one-handed operation, requiring no assembly. The comfortable non-slip handles provide a secure grip during use.
A lengthened splatter shield offers enhanced protection against juices, helping to keep your work area clean. This tool is multi-functional, suitable for pitting cherries, jujubes, and red dates. Its robust construction and versatile application make it a practical choice for various kitchen tasks.
Norpro Cherry Olive Pitter, 1-Pack, Red
The Norpro pitter is a straightforward and effective tool for quickly removing pits from cherries and olives. Its simple push-plunger design is easy to understand and use, making it accessible for anyone. The mechanism is direct and efficient, requiring minimal effort.
For storage, the pitter locks down into a compact form, saving valuable drawer space. This is a no-nonsense, reliable tool that focuses on performing its core function well without complicated features. It’s an excellent basic option for those who need an effective pitter.
Chef’n QuickPit Cherry and Olive Pitter, Red
The Chef’n QuickPit offers a unique and fun trigger-operated mechanism for pitting. You simply insert a cherry or olive into the nook and pull the trigger to cleanly pop the pit out. This one-handed operation allows you to hold a bowl or position the tool over the trash can with your other hand.
This design makes the process fast and engaging. It is particularly useful for those who want to pit fruits directly into a mixing bowl or disposal bin without transferring hands. The trigger action is smooth and provides immediate, satisfying results.
Casbomy Stainless Steel Fruit Corer, Pit Remover, Olive Pitter Tool
Made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, this corer is built for safety, rust resistance, and long-term durability. It is designed to efficiently remove pits from dates, cherries, olives, and other small fruits, effectively saving time in the kitchen. The sturdy material ensures it can withstand frequent use.
The handle is ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable and secure grip during use. Smooth edges on the tool help prevent accidental cuts, making it a safe option for various users. Its focus on safety and robust construction makes it a reliable choice for regular food preparation.
Kuhn Rikon Auto Release Olive Pitter
The Kuhn Rikon Auto Release Olive Pitter is engineered for convenience and high-volume pitting. Its standout feature is the auto-release mechanism that ejects the pit after removal, allowing for a continuous, rapid workflow without needing to manually clear the plunger. This can significantly speed up the process when working with many olives.
Built with quality materials, this pitter is designed for durability and consistent performance. The comfortable handle and efficient mechanism reduce hand strain. It’s an ideal tool for those who frequently pit large quantities and appreciate a design that minimizes steps and maximizes efficiency.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Olive Pitter
I have pitted a lot of olives in my time, and I can tell you that not all olive pitters are created equal. The right tool can make the process quick and clean, while the wrong one can leave you with a sticky mess and a lot of frustration. If you are looking for one of the 10 best olive pittters for easy pitting, there are a few key things I always consider before making a purchase.
First, think about the types of olives you use most often. Are you mostly pitting large, meaty Kalamata olives for salads, or are you dealing with smaller, more delicate Manzanilla olives for martinis? The size and sturdiness of the olive matter. Some pitters have adjustable cups or different-sized holes to accommodate a range of olive sizes, which is a feature I find incredibly useful. A pitter that is too large for a small olive will crush it, and one that is too small for a jumbo olive simply will not work.
Next, consider the mechanism. The most common type is the lever-style pitter, which works like a stapler. You place an olive in a cup and press down on a lever, which pushes a plunger through the olive to eject the pit. These are generally fast and efficient for medium to large olives. Another popular style is the tower or press pitter, where you load multiple olives into a chamber and push a handle to pit them all at once. This is fantastic for high-volume tasks, like making olive tapenade. Simpler, handheld pincer-style tools also exist, which can be good for travel but are often slower and messier for home use.
Material and ease of cleaning are also high on my list. I prefer pitters made from durable materials like stainless steel or high-quality, BPA-free plastic. These are built to last and are easy to wipe clean. Many models are dishwasher safe, which is a huge bonus for me. Pay close attention to how many parts the pitter has; simpler designs with fewer nooks and crannies are much easier to clean thoroughly. A pitter that is difficult to clean will quickly become a kitchen drawer resident you avoid.
Finally, think about your own comfort and how often you will use it. If you only pit olives once a year for a holiday recipe, a basic, inexpensive model will probably suffice. But if you are someone who regularly cooks with olives or preserves them, investing in a sturdy, ergonomic, and efficient pitter will save you a lot of time and effort. A comfortable, non-slip grip can make a big difference when you are pitting a whole jar. By thinking about these factors—olive size, mechanism, material, and frequency of use—you can easily find a pitter that fits your specific needs and makes the task a breeze.
FAQ
Can I use an olive pitter on cherries?
Yes, you often can! Many lever-style olive pitters work perfectly on cherries. The mechanism is essentially the same: you place the cherry in the cup, press down, and the pit is pushed out. It is a real game-changer for cherry pie season. Just be aware that very juicy cherries might make a bit more of a mess, so I recommend pitting them over a bowl. Always check your specific pitter’s instructions to be sure, but in my experience, most handle cherries without any trouble.
What is the best way to clean an olive pitter?
The best method depends on the design of your pitter. For most models, I find that rinsing it under warm water immediately after use is the most effective approach. Use a small brush, like a clean toothbrush, to dislodge any bits of olive flesh stuck in the plunger or cup. If the pitter is made of simple, sturdy materials like stainless steel, it is often dishwasher safe on the top rack. However, I always check the manufacturer’s guidelines first, as some pitters with springs or complex mechanisms are hand-wash only to prevent rust and damage.
Why does my olive pitter crush the olives instead of cleanly pitting them?
This usually happens for one of two reasons. First, the olive might be too small for the pitter’s cup. If the olive can wobble around, the plunger will not hit it squarely and will just smash it. Second, the olive could be too soft or over-ripe. Very briny or marinated olives can become mushy and are more likely to fall apart. For smaller olives, look for a pitter with an adjustable or multi-sized cup. For softer olives, a gentler hand and a very sharp pitter can help, but it is a trickier task no matter what.
Are there any olive pitters that can handle pitted olives?
This is a common point of confusion. An olive pitter is designed to remove the pit from an olive that still has it. If an olive is already pitted—meaning the pit has been removed—there is nothing for the tool to do. Sometimes, “pitted” olives can still have a small pit fragment inside, and in that case, a pitter would not be effective either. The tool needs a whole pit to push against. If you are looking for one of the 10 best olive pittters for easy pitting, remember they are for olives that still have their pits.
Is it worth buying a specialized olive pitter, or can I just use a knife?
I have used the knife method—laying an olive on a cutting board and pressing with the flat side of a chef’s knife to pop the pit out—and while it works in a pinch, it is messy, inconsistent, and can be a bit dangerous. You can end up with squashed olives and olive bits flying across the kitchen. A dedicated pitter is much faster, cleaner, and gives you a nicer-looking final product. If you pit olives more than a couple of times a year, I think a pitter is absolutely worth the small investment and the minimal storage space it requires.