Pineapple shows up all over a Mexican kitchen. A peeled pineapple often crowns a trompo of al pastor and ends up in slivers over the tacos, chunks get blended with water and a little sugar for agua fresca de piña, and the peels and core can go into a jar of tepache. Getting the fruit out of its armor is the slow part: a whole pineapple has a tough rind, a ring of prickly eyes and a fibrous core you do not want in a taco.
A pineapple corer turns that into a minute’s work. The common style is a corkscrew tube that you screw down into the fruit; it leaves the shell behind and pulls out a spiral of fruit that you slice into rings. Some add a wedger that cuts that spiral into chunks. This guide compares seven corers and slicers from identifiable makers, on how they cut, what they are made of, how they handle different pineapple sizes and how they clean up, plus the knife method for when a corer is the wrong tool.
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Quick verdict: which pineapple corer to buy
For most kitchens, the best pineapple corer is the OXO Good Grips Ratcheting Pineapple Corer and Slicer. Its ratcheting knob lets you keep turning without shifting your grip, depth markings help you stop before you pierce the bottom of the shell, the parts separate for the dishwasher, and OXO says it fits most pineapple sizes. If you want chunks for agua fresca or a fruit plate as well as rings, the Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer and Wedger adds a wedger to the corer.
The table below shows our five standout tools. All seven are reviewed in full after it, followed by the knife method, how to choose, and answers to common questions.
Five pineapple corers compared
One pick for each kind of cook, with the type and features each maker or listing states.
| Corer | Type | Ratchet / release | Dishwasher | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corkscrew corer-slicer | Ratchet; knob detaches | Yes | View on Amazon | |
Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer and WedgerBest with a wedger
|
Corer-slicer plus wedger | Quick-release button | Yes | View on Amazon |
Chef’n Twist’n Core Pineapple CorerBest compact ratchet
|
Corer-slicer, double-edged blade | Ratchet with lock button | Hand wash recommended | View on Amazon |
Zulay Kitchen Pineapple Corer and SlicerBest with an eye remover
|
Corer-slicer plus eye tool | Detachable handle | Yes | View on Amazon |
Westmark Heavy Duty Pineapple Slicer and De-CorerMade in Germany
|
Corkscrew corer-slicer | Not stated | Yes | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Types, materials and care are as stated by each maker or listing; few makers give a blade diameter.
Our picks for the best pineapple corer
Five of these seven are corkscrew corer-slicers: you cut off the crown, set the tube over the center, and turn it down into the fruit. Two of those add a way to cut chunks. The last two picks are a deluxe slicer kit and a plain steel slicer from Germany. For spears, use a knife; we cover that below. Each pick says who it suits and one honest reason to skip it.
1. OXO Good Grips Ratcheting Pineapple Corer and Slicer – Turn Without Regripping
The hardest part of a corkscrew corer is the twisting: on a firm pineapple you can end up letting go and regripping a dozen times. OXO’s answer is a non-slip knob that ratchets, so you can keep turning in short strokes without adjusting your grip. The stainless steel shaft carries measurement markings that help you stop before you pierce the bottom of the shell, which matters if you want to serve a drink or fruit salad in the hollow pineapple.
When you are done, the knob and shaft separate at the press of a button, the rings slide off, and both parts are dishwasher safe. OXO says the medium-sized blade accommodates most pineapple sizes and is shaped to lie flat in a drawer, and it comes with a safety cap for storage. OXO backs it with its satisfaction guarantee.
Foodal named the OXO its top pineapple corer, noting that the ratchet means little or no twisting and that the depth guide helps keep the shell intact. As with any corer, a very large or very small pineapple leaves more fruit on the shell or a thinner ring, so a knife is still worth having for odd sizes.
Why we like it
- Ratcheting knob for continuous turns
- Depth markings protect the shell
- Parts separate; dishwasher safe
- Safety cap and flat storage
Key specifications
| Model | 3108300 |
|---|---|
| Type | Ratcheting corer-slicer |
| Material | Stainless steel; soft non-slip knob |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Most pineapple sizes |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | Ratchet; knob detaches with a button |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who buys pineapple often for rings, al pastor or agua fresca and wants the least wrist work.
Skip it if you mainly want chunks; you will still cut the rings yourself.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy on the wrist
- Keeps the shell whole
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No wedger included
- One blade size
2. Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer and Wedger – Rings or Chunks
Vacu Vin, the Dutch maker of the Wine Saver, sells several pineapple tools. This stainless steel version with a yellow handle cores and slices in the usual way, and a quick-release button on the handle lets you slide the rings straight off. The difference is the wedger: slip it over the spiral of fruit and press, and you get chunks instead of rings.
Chunks are what you want for a blender of agua fresca de piña, a fruit cup with chile and lime, or a bowl for the table. Vacu Vin suggests keeping the empty shell as a serving bowl for fruit salad or drinks, and says the tool is dishwasher safe.
The listing does not state a blade diameter or which pineapple sizes it suits, and it has no ratchet, so you turn the handle the old-fashioned way. Foodal recommended a different Vacu Vin model, the plastic 4-in-1 peeler, corer, slicer and wedger, so that praise does not transfer directly to this stainless version.
Why we like it
- Wedger turns the spiral into chunks
- Quick-release button for the rings
- Stainless steel slicer
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 4874360 |
|---|---|
| Type | Corer-slicer with wedger |
| Material | Stainless steel; plastic handle |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | No ratchet; quick-release button |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who make agua fresca, fruit cups or fruit plates and want chunks without a cutting board.
Skip it if your wrists struggle with twisting; there is no ratchet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rings or chunks
- Fast ring release
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No ratchet
- Size fit not stated
3. Chef’n Twist’n Core Pineapple Corer – Ratchet in a Compact Tool
Chef’n’s corer is the other ratcheting option from a known gadget maker. The listing describes a ratcheting function for easy, precise control, and a double-edged blade that cores and extracts the fruit from the rind as you turn. A button on the handle locks the ratchet so the pineapple spiral comes off the base easily.
Retailers list it at about 9 by 4.5 by 2.5 inches, in stainless steel and plastic, so it takes up less room than a long corer. Care advice is mixed: the Amazon listing recommends hand washing, while some retailers describe it as top-rack dishwasher safe. Hand washing is the safe choice, and it keeps the ratchet free of detergent grit.
Chef’n does not state which pineapple sizes it fits, and we did not find an independent review we could cite.
Why we like it
- Ratcheting turns
- Double-edged blade slices as it cores
- Lock button frees the fruit
- Compact, about 9 inches
Key specifications
| Model | 5255875 |
|---|---|
| Type | Ratcheting corer-slicer |
| Material | Stainless steel and plastic, per retailers |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | Ratchet with lock button |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a ratchet in a shorter tool that fits a crowded drawer.
Skip it if you want dishwasher cleanup; the listing says hand wash.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Less wrist effort
- Compact
- Easy fruit release
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
- No size guidance
4. Zulay Kitchen Pineapple Corer and Slicer – Eye Remover in the Box
Zulay’s corer is a heavy-duty take on the classic tube: food-grade stainless steel with sharp, serrated, reinforced blades, according to the listing, and an ergonomic non-slip handle that detaches so the rings slide off. It keeps the shell intact for serving, and every part is detachable and dishwasher safe.
What sets it apart is the extra tool in the box: a pineapple eye remover. Corers leave the eyes on the shell, but if you peel a pineapple with a knife for spears or for the trompo, the eye remover lets you pick out the brown spots without cutting away good fruit. Zulay, which describes itself as a family-owned US business, offers a lifetime warranty.
There is no ratchet, and the listing does not state which pineapple sizes it fits.
Why we like it
- Eye remover tool included
- Serrated, reinforced stainless blade
- Detachable, dishwasher-safe parts
- Lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | Zulay pineapple corer, Royal Blue |
|---|---|
| Type | Corer-slicer plus eye remover |
| Material | Food-grade stainless steel |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | No ratchet; detachable handle |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who sometimes core and sometimes peel by knife, and want a warranty behind the tool.
Skip it if you want a ratchet; you twist this one by hand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two tools in one box
- Sturdy blade
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- No ratchet
- Size fit not stated
5. Newness Pineapple Corer and Slicer with Cutter – Depth Marks and a Chunk Cutter
Newness makes stainless kitchen gadgets, and this corer combines a thickened, sharp blade with two useful extras. Measurement marks on the shaft help you judge how deep you have gone so you do not pierce the bottom of the shell, and a separate stainless steel cutter cuts the cored fruit into bite-size pieces.
The body is stainless steel and ABS plastic, with an ergonomic handle for twisting or pushing the corer through, and the listing says it is easy to assemble and take apart for cleaning. Bite-size pieces go straight into a fruit cup, a salsa de piña or the blender.
The listing does not state dishwasher safety, a ratchet or which pineapple sizes it fits.
Why we like it
- Depth marks on the shaft
- Separate stainless chunk cutter
- Thickened, sharp blade
- Comes apart for cleaning
Key specifications
| Model | P-US-0229 |
|---|---|
| Type | Corer-slicer plus chunk cutter |
| Material | Stainless steel and ABS |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | No ratchet; detachable |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want depth marks and chunks without paying for a bigger kit.
Skip it if you want clear care instructions; the listing does not mention the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Depth guide
- Chunk cutter included
- Comes apart
Cons
- Care not stated
- No ratchet
6. Tomorrow’s Kitchen Pineapple Slicer with Wedger Deluxe – Guide Ring and Cover
This deluxe kit pairs a stainless steel slicer with a wedger that has stainless steel blades, and adds two extras the others do not include: a silicone measurement ring and a food cover. The listing calls it “the original Pineapple Slicer since 1992” and says it gives ready-to-use rings or pieces in seconds.
A cover is handy when you core a pineapple ahead of time for a party: put the cored shell or the leftover fruit back in the fridge covered instead of wrapping it in plastic. The wedger turns the spiral into chunks for agua fresca or a fruit plate.
The listing gives little else: no dishwasher guidance, no stated size range and no ratchet. It is a gift-box product, so expect packaging aimed at gifting.
Why we like it
- Stainless slicer and wedger
- Silicone measurement ring
- Food cover included
- Rings or chunks
Key specifications
| Model | 4873360 |
|---|---|
| Type | Corer-slicer with wedger |
| Material | Stainless steel; silicone ring and cover |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits hosts who prep pineapple ahead and like the idea of a cover and a guide ring in the box.
Skip it if you want full specifications before you buy; the listing is thin.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most complete kit here
- Wedger included
- Cover for storage
Cons
- Few stated specs
- Care not stated
7. Westmark Heavy Duty Pineapple Slicer and De-Corer – Stainless Steel, Made in Germany
Westmark is a German kitchen tool maker, and this is the plain, classic version of the tube corer. The listing says it is made in Germany from stainless steel, and that it cores, peels and slices: you rotate the slicer while pressing down, and the fruit comes away as ready-to-eat rings.
It is dishwasher safe, per the listing. The listing does not state a blade diameter or which pineapple sizes it suits, and it mentions no ratchet or release button, so expect to turn it by hand and slide the rings off yourself.
Why we like it
- Made in Germany, per the listing
- Stainless steel
- Cores, peels and slices
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 51692260 |
|---|---|
| Type | Corkscrew corer-slicer |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Fits pineapple size (stated) | Not stated |
| Ratchet/detachable handle | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a plain stainless corer from a German maker and do not need extras in the box.
Skip it if you want spears or chunks; it makes rings, so use a knife or a pick with a wedger.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plain stainless construction
- Made in Germany
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No wedger
- Blade size not stated
The knife method: when a corer is the wrong tool
A corer is quick, but a chef’s knife is more flexible. It handles a pineapple of any size, gives you rings, spears, chunks or planks for the grill, and you already own one. It is also how you peel a pineapple whole, the way it sits on top of an al pastor trompo.
America’s Test Kitchen describes a method that wastes little fruit. Trim off the crown and the base, stand the pineapple upright and pare away the rind from top to bottom, taking as little flesh as possible. Then lay it on its side and cut shallow, diagonal V-shaped grooves along the spiral lines of eyes, deep enough to remove them. Slice it however you like and cut out the core from each slice or quarter.
You need a sharp 8- to 10-inch blade and a board that will not slide. Our guides to the best chef knife and the best cutting board cover both. Keep the rind and core if you make tepache, which is fermented from them.
How to choose a pineapple corer
Type. A corkscrew corer-slicer gives rings and leaves a hollow shell. A wedger gives chunks, and a knife gives spears. Kits with both are the most versatile.
Ratchet. Turning a corer down through a firm pineapple takes wrist effort. A ratchet, as on the OXO and Chef’n, lets you turn in short strokes without letting go.
Size fit. Corers have one blade diameter. On a big pineapple, more fruit stays on the shell; on a small one, the blade can cut into the rind. OXO says its corer fits most sizes; most other makers do not say. If your pineapples vary a lot, a knife copes better.
Depth guide. Markings on the shaft help you stop before you push through the bottom of the shell, which matters if you serve in it.
Cleaning. Pineapple juice is sticky and acidic. Parts that separate and go in the dishwasher make cleanup quick; rinse right away if the tool is hand wash.
How we chose these seven pineapple tools
We started from how a Mexican kitchen uses pineapple: slices for al pastor, chunks for agua fresca and fruit cups, spears for the grill, and rind and core for tepache. We then looked for pineapple corers and wedgers from identifiable makers sold on Amazon in the United States, avoided generic listings and near-identical copies, and checked that each was in stock with Amazon’s product data before writing. Specifications come from the makers’ listings and, for Chef’n, from retailer listings; where none states something, we say “not stated”.
We read Foodal’s pineapple corer guide, which named the OXO its top pick. We also tried America’s Test Kitchen’s pineapple cutter review, but its link now leads to the test kitchen’s how-to on cutting a pineapple with a knife, which we cite for the knife method. Rösle’s pineapple cutter and Tomorrow’s Kitchen’s classic 3-in-1 were nearly sold out when we checked, and we found no current KitchenAid or Cuisipro pineapple corer on Amazon, so they are not here. We did not use these tools for this guide, and we did not read Consumer Reports, so we do not cite it.
Pineapple corer questions, answered
What is the top-rated pineapple corer?
Among the reviews we read, the OXO Good Grips ratcheting corer was the top pick: Foodal chose it for the ratchet and the depth guide. It is also our best overall.
Does America’s Test Kitchen or Consumer Reports recommend a pineapple corer?
We could not read a current America’s Test Kitchen pineapple corer review; its old review link now goes to a knife how-to, which we summarize above. We did not read Consumer Reports for this guide, so we cannot say what it recommends.
Do pineapple corers waste fruit?
Some. A corer cuts a cylinder, so the fruit between the cylinder and the curved rind stays on the shell. You can scrape it out with a spoon for agua fresca. The knife method wastes the least when done carefully.
Will a corer fit any pineapple?
Not always. Each corer has one blade size; OXO says its fits most pineapple sizes, and the others do not say. Very small or very large fruit is easier with a knife.
Can I put a pineapple corer in the dishwasher?
The OXO, Vacu Vin, Zulay and Westmark are listed as dishwasher safe. Chef’n recommends hand washing, and Newness and Tomorrow’s Kitchen do not say.
Our final pick for rings and chunks
Buy the OXO ratcheting corer if you want rings with the least effort. Choose the Vacu Vin or the Tomorrow’s Kitchen kit if you want chunks too, the Chef’n for a compact ratchet, the Zulay for its eye remover and warranty, and the Westmark for a plain steel slicer made in Germany. For spears, use a knife.
Fresh pineapple usually ends up in a drink. If you blend it for agua fresca, strain it through one of the picks in our best fine mesh strainer guide, and a squeeze of lime from a good citrus juicer brightens it. A little lime zest from a microplane grater over a bowl of chunks with chile is a classic snack.
And if you would rather have someone else’s al pastor tonight, see the menu or call to order.