Buying guide for best apple corers
Apples are a fruit almost everyone loves. Their sweet, crisp flavor is obviously their biggest draw, and they’re extremely versatile — perfect as a snack on their own, mixed into oatmeal, turned into a delicious sauce, or worked into a variety of baked desserts like pies, tarts, and crisps.
The one problem with apples, though, is dealing with their cores. Not only does the core contain the inedible stem and seeds, but it also has an unpleasant fibrous texture. What you need to deal with this mess is an apple corer, which cuts away the useless bits while preserving all the fruity goodness.
But while an apple corer is a pretty simple tool, choosing one can be tricky. Basic corers only remove the core, but some models are multi-functional and can help with other apple prep tasks such as peeling and slicing the fruit. You have to decide which type best suits your needs, what size you prefer, and what other features will make the corer most effective in your kitchen. Fear not. With our buying guide, you’ll have all the tips you need to make choosing the best apple corer as easy as pie.
Key considerations
Type
While all apple corers essentially do the same thing — make a circular cut through the center of the fruit to remove the core — you can choose from a few different types. Some corers perform other functions that make them a better option depending on whether you intend to eat your apple on its own as a snack or bake apples as part of a recipe.
A basic apple corer is a thin, handheld tool that features a handle and a cylindrical tube with a bladed edge. You press the round, bladed edge through the center of the apple, and the corer cuts the center core portion of the apple out without removing too much of the fruit. These basic handheld corers typically require the most hand strength to use because you have to press the tool all the way through the fruit with one hand.
An apple corer/slicer is similar to a basic corer in that it’s a handheld device that cuts through the fruit to take out a circular portion that contains the core while slicing the apple at the same time. However, a corer/slicer features a different design: it’s a larger tool with handles on either side of a metal circle. There’s a small bladed circle in the center, which is surrounded by blades that divide the circle into wedges.
To use a corer/slicer, you line up the smaller circle with the apple stem and push down on each handle to cut out the core and slice the apple into wedges. A corer/slicer requires hand strength, too, but some people find it easier to use because you can exert more force with two hands.
An apple corer/peeler is a countertop tool with a crank handle and a suction cup on the bottom to secure it in place on your table or counter. It features a long arm with metal prongs on the end that you press into the apple around the stem. When the apple is in place, you turn the handle to rotate the fruit and move it toward a peeling blade and a corer blade at the end of the tool to remove the skin and core in a single step. Most corer/peelers slice the apple, too.
A basic corer or corer/slicer works well if you just want to core an apple for a snack. A corer/slicer can also come in handy for baking and other recipes if you peel the apples first because you can just cut the wedges down to the size you need for your recipes. If you frequently make apple pies, tarts, and other baked desserts, however, you’ll probably enjoy how efficient a corer/peeler model is since it does your peeling, slicing, and coring all in one step.
Size
The size of an apple corer determines how easy it is to store. In a small kitchen, you’d probably appreciate the slim, compact design of a basic corer because it can easily fit in a drawer. A corer/slicer is larger and doesn’t sit flat because of the handles on either side, but you can usually store it in a drawer easily enough. A corer/peeler is the largest type of corer and is definitely more difficult to store — it won’t fit in most drawers, so you’ll likely need room on a shelf somewhere to keep it.
Features
Corer diameter
A corer’s diameter is an important factor to consider because it determines how large a section is cut away to remove the core. A large apple requires a larger diameter to cut away the entire core, while a smaller diameter works best for smaller varieties because you won’t waste any fruit by cutting away too much to remove the core.
Blade material and design
Most apple corers feature a stainless steel blade, which is extremely durable and can hold its edge for a long time. Stainless steel doesn’t rust, either, so it’s a lower-maintenance option than other blade materials. For handheld corers, opt for a model with a serrated blade. It can typically cut through the fruit more easily, so you don’t need to use as much force to push the corer through the apple.
Ergonomic handle
The handle on handheld corers is another important feature to consider because you want to be able to hold the tool comfortably. Rubberized handles usually provide the best grip and prevent slippage. They’re often softer to hold, too, which can limit hand fatigue when you’re coring multiple apples.
Other functions
If you mainly want to core your apples to eat as a snack, a basic model that only cores is probably all you need. But if you also bake apples or are preparing snacks for children, you may want a tool that can core and slice and/or peel at the same time. A corer that also peels and slices can save bakers serious time in the kitchen, allowing you to enjoy your apple pies and tarts that much faster.
Apple corer prices
Apple corers typically vary in price based on the type and the quality of their materials. Most models cost between $2 and $50.
Inexpensive: The most affordable apple corers are basic handheld models. They only remove the fruit’s core, so they’re a single-use product. You can expect to pay between $2 and $10 for these corers.
Mid-range: Stepping up from basic models, corers in the $10 to $30 price range are usually handheld apple corer/slicer combinations. They cut away the apple’s core and slice the fruit into wedges in a single motion.
Expensive: The most expensive apple corers are corer/peeler tabletop models. They not only remove the core but can peel and usually slice the apple at the same time. They generally cost between $30 and $55.
Tips
- Go basic! A traditional handheld apple corer that only removes the core but leaves the fruit intact is the ideal tool if you love to make baked apples. Just place the cored whole apples in a baking dish, fill the center hole with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and your favorite chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, and bake until the fruit is soft.
- Prevent browning. If you’re coring, peeling, and slicing apples for a pie, tart, or crisp, you can keep the fruit from browning while you work by squeezing some lemon juice over the apples.
- Slice more than apples. An apple corer/slicer can be used to cut potatoes into wedges for roasting or frying. You can also use it to cut onions into slices for kabobs, salads, or braising.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best type of apple corer for an avid baker?
A. When you bake with apples, you’re usually looking to not only core your fruit but peel and slice it as well. That’s why a corer that also peels and slices your apples is such a handy tool to have. It saves time when preparing multiple apples for a pie, tart, or crisp and keeps your hand from getting fatigued because it doesn’t require as much hand strength as a handheld corer.
Q. What type of apple corer should I choose if I often cut apples for my kid’s lunch?
A. Apples definitely make a healthy snack for kids. An apple corer/slicer model is a good choice because it cuts the apple into easy-to-eat wedges while removing the core. You can easily fit the slices in a zippered plastic bag to toss into your child’s lunch bag.
Q. Are handheld apple corers dishwasher safe?
A. Most handheld apple corers that are made of stainless steel can be cleaned in your dishwasher. However, you should always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to make sure that your model doesn’t require hand washing.
