Eight turntable ideas for a small pantry and kitchen
Where a spinning turntable earns its space in a small kitchen, from spice shelves to the fridge and under the sink.
A small pantry has one big problem: the back of every shelf. Jars and packets slide out of sight, you buy a second bottle of something you already had, and the only way to reach the far corner is to empty the front row first. A turntable fixes that by bringing the back to the front with a turn of the hand. Each idea below pairs one trouble spot with a turntable whose shape suits it: round, rectangular, divided or stacked.
Before you start, measure two things on the shelf you want to fix: the inside depth (from the door or front edge to the back wall) and the clear height (from the shelf to the underside of the shelf above). Every fit note below compares those two numbers with the dimensions the manufacturer lists.
1. Small jars and packets that vanish on a pantry shelf
The problem: spice packets, bouillon cubes, tea bags and tiny jars get buried behind taller items.
The fit: the SmoothSpin™ Turntable with 6 Bins splits one turntable into six clear bins that lift out. Because the bins are clear, you can see what is in each one without picking it up, and because they are removable, you can carry a single bin to the counter while you cook. It spins all the way around on stainless steel ball bearings and sits on non-slip feet, so it should stay put while you turn it.
The numbers: the listing gives it as 10.6 by 10.6 inches (26.9 by 26.9 cm) and 4.2 inches (10.7 cm) tall. On a shelf at least 11 inches (28 cm) deep it leaves a little room behind it, and the low height means it can sit under a shelf with only about 5 inches (12.7 cm) of clearance. The bins are listed as BPA-free, and there is nothing to assemble: you fill it and spin it.
2. Bigger snacks that need fewer, wider sections
The problem: granola bars, single-serve crackers or baking add-ins are too bulky for six narrow bins.
The fit: the HEXA Turntable with Dividers Large from Spectrum is a plastic turntable with dividers, so bulky snacks sort into sections on one tray. It turns on a smooth-spin base, and the manufacturer describes it as sturdy enough to hold full jars, cans and bottles without wobbling. It is meant for deep cabinets and pantry shelves, where it brings whatever sits at the back to the front, and it wipes clean.
The numbers: it measures 11 by 11 inches (27.9 by 27.9 cm) and 4.4 inches (11.2 cm) tall, so it needs a shelf at least 11 inches (28 cm) deep. That is close to the six-bin turntable in idea 1.
If you are torn between the two, count your categories. Many small groups of items suit six separate bins; a few bulky groups suit a divided tray like this one.
3. Wasted air above short items in a cabinet
The problem: a cabinet shelf holds a single layer of cans and bottles, with several inches of empty space above them.
The fit: the Sorbus 2-Tier Rotating Kitchen Organizer stacks two trays, and each one turns on its own, so you can spin the top tier without moving the bottom one. Raised edges on the trays help stop things from sliding off, and a silicone pad underneath keeps the organizer from shifting while it turns. If your needs change, the trays can be used separately as two single turntables. It is made of clear, shatter-resistant PET plastic that is BPA- and chlorine-free, and the maker names spices and canned goods among the things it holds.
The numbers: the listing gives it as approximately 11.29 inches (28.7 cm) wide and 11.29 inches (28.7 cm) deep, so you need a shelf at least 11.3 inches (28.7 cm) deep. Its third listed measurement is 14.68 inches (37.3 cm), given as the length; since no height is listed separately, treat that as the most height it could need. With a clear height of 15 inches (38.1 cm) or more, such as a tall pantry shelf or the floor of a cabinet without a middle shelf, it fits whichever way that measurement runs.
4. Cabinets where a circle wastes the corners
The problem: a turntable that doesn’t match the cabinet’s shape leaves dead space at the sides.
The fit: the MagicTrack™ Turntable with Bins is a rectangle turntable, and its patent-pending track turns items toward you so the back row comes forward. It ships with four clear bins that stack, which the manufacturer suggests for snacks, packets and bottles. It rotates fully on stainless steel ball bearings, has non-slip feet, and needs no tools or installation.
The numbers: it is listed at 10.3 inches (26.2 cm) deep, 12.6 inches (32.0 cm) wide and 3.9 inches (9.9 cm) tall. That width is the point: on a shelf wider than it is deep, its 12.6-inch (32.0 cm) width runs closer to the sides than a 10.6-inch (26.9 cm) turntable would. The base is recycled plastic in a speckled white finish, and the bins are listed as BPA-free.
5. A spice collection you can never read
The problem: spice bottles crowd a shelf in rows, and you can only see the labels on the front row.
The fit: the MagicTrack™ Spice Turntable holds 24 spice bottles on a rectangular base. Its two tiers are set so the labels on both levels stay in view, and there is a hidden bin underneath. Like the other MagicTrack models, it turns forward on its track, rotates fully on stainless steel ball bearings and has non-slip feet.
The numbers: it measures 10.2 inches (25.9 cm) deep, 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) wide and just 3.6 inches (9.1 cm) tall, so the height of the bottles you load, not the turntable, sets how much clearance you need. Measure your tallest spice bottle, add the turntable’s height, and check that total against the gap under the shelf above. It is made of recycled plastic in speckled white and needs no installation.
6. Odd-shaped bottles and jars that won’t fit in a bin
The problem: oils, vinegars, syrups and sauce bottles come in every height, and bins or tiers get in their way.
The fit: the TB Home® 10” Lazy Susan Turntable from Totally Bamboo is a single round lazy susan in Moso bamboo, which the maker sizes for condiments, sauces, spices and seasonings and recommends for kitchen cabinets and pantries. It turns a full 360 degrees, so the bottle at the back comes around to you. It is hand wash only, should not be soaked or put in the dishwasher, and the maker says not to put it in the refrigerator, microwave or oven, so keep it in a cabinet and use the turntable in idea 7 for the fridge.
The numbers: the diameter is 10 inches (25.4 cm), so it needs a shelf at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) deep, with a little room so it can turn without rubbing the door. The listing gives no height, so stand your tallest bottle on it and check that it clears the shelf above before you load the rest.
7. Condiments lost at the back of the fridge
The problem: jars of mustard, jam and sauce get pushed to the back of a fridge shelf and forgotten.
The fit: the HEXA Turntable Medium, Oyster Gray from Spectrum is a plastic turntable the manufacturer lists for refrigerator shelves, as well as pantries and bathroom cabinets. It turns on a smooth-spin base, and it is described as sturdy enough to hold full jars, cans and bottles without wobbling. It is made of silicone and plastic and wipes clean, which matters for anything living next to open jars.
The numbers: it measures 9.45 by 9.45 inches (24.0 by 24.0 cm) and only 1.55 inches (3.9 cm) tall. Measure your fridge shelf depth before you buy: it needs at least 9.45 inches (24 cm) front to back, plus a little room so the door closes cleanly. Because it is so low, a jar on it stands only 1.55 inches (3.9 cm) higher than it would on the bare shelf, so add that to your tallest jar and check it against the gap under the shelf above.
8. Cleaning bottles crowded around the pipes under the sink
The problem: dish soap refills, sprays and sponges pile up around the plumbing, and the bottles at the back are hard to reach.
The fit: the SinkSuite® Under Sink Turntable is a turntable on a 12-inch (30.5 cm) base, with three dividers you can move or take out to suit the shape of your bottles. It spins all the way around on non-slip feet, and the plastic is rated to hold up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg). You set the dividers where you want them and load it; no tools are needed. It is also described as easy to clean, which helps in a spot where drips happen.
The numbers: it measures 12.0 by 12.0 inches (30.5 by 30.5 cm) and 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) tall. Under a sink, the pipes usually decide where it can go, so measure the clear floor space on one side of the drain, not just the cabinet’s overall width. You need a square at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) on each side.
Choosing a shape
Most of these turntables measure the same in depth and width, so they suit square-ish spaces and corners: the SmoothSpin, the two HEXA models, the Sorbus two-tier, the round bamboo lazy susan and the SinkSuite. The MagicTrack models suit cabinets that are wider than they are deep, since their 12.5- to 12.6-inch (31.8 to 32.0 cm) width covers more of a shelf, and their forward-spinning track still brings the back row to the front.
A quick way to decide:
- Shallow clearance, lots of little things: the SmoothSpin six-bin turntable, at 4.2 inches (10.7 cm) tall.
- Bulky snacks: the HEXA turntable with dividers, at 4.4 inches (11.2 cm) tall.
- Tall cabinet, short items: the Sorbus two-tier, with trays that turn separately.
- Spices: the MagicTrack spice model, with room for 24 bottles.
- Bottles of every height: the bamboo lazy susan, at 10 inches (25.4 cm) across.
- Fridge: the HEXA Medium, at 1.55 inches (3.9 cm) tall and listed for refrigerator shelves.
- Under the sink: the SinkSuite, with its 30-pound (13.6 kg) rating and movable dividers.
Measure first, compare against the dimensions above, and check the current price at the retailer before you decide. One well-placed turntable on the worst shelf in your kitchen often does more than a whole new set of containers.