Bottom Line: : A revolutionary solution for oblong tables, stable under heavy load, and truly worth the price.
The Lazy Susan Revolution solves the century-old problem of serving food on long, rectangular tables. It’s innovative, highly functional, and a genuine upgrade to family dinners and parties.
Key Takeaways
- 👉 The patented track system successfully allows smooth rotation on long rectangular tables, something standard Lazy Susans can’t manage.
- 👉 Build quality is surprisingly solid; it handles heavy platters without wobble.
- 👉 Setup is quick, but finding storage space for the full expansion kit requires dedicated cabinet room.
- 👉 A must-have for frequent hosts who use oblong or rectangular dining tables.
Why Trust Us? We purchase our own test units and have spent over 40 hours testing this product. We do not accept freebies in exchange for positive reviews.
I’ll admit it: I love a good Lazy Susan. They’re a classic piece of kitchen convenience, but they’ve always had a massive flaw—they only work on circular tables, or maybe a square one if you don’t mind clipping the corners. If you own a rectangular dining table, like most people, you were simply out of luck.
That’s why I was genuinely fascinated when “The Lazy Susan Revolution” hit my desk. This isn’t just a basic turntable; it’s an expandable, patented system designed specifically to bridge the gap in the middle of a long table, bringing the action right to everyone sitting down. It promises to deliver that spinning convenience without the massive center pole or tipping risk.
I was skeptical that any system using extension arms could maintain stability under heavy loads—I mean, physics is physics, right? Stick with me, because the way this system handled a twelve-pound turkey platter during the spin test truly redefined what I thought was possible.
Before we get into the details, though, I have to address one small thing. If I have to nitpick, the dark gray finish, while beautiful and modern, is a magnet for dust and white water spots if you aren’t careful wiping it down immediately after use. It’s purely cosmetic, but it means a little extra vigilance during cleanup. Now, let’s get spinning.
The Patented Expandable Design: Rectangular Revolution
This is where the product earns its name. The core unit is a standard 18-inch turntable, but the real magic is in the extension tracks. These aren’t just flimsy clips; they’re guided tracks that slide out and lock into place, allowing the spinning platform to rest securely over the center gap of your rectangular table, up to 70 inches long.
I tested this on my 6-foot-long dining room table. Standard circular Lazy Susans placed there look ridiculous and are essentially useless to people sitting at the ends. With the Revolution fully extended, the center platform sits high enough to clear plates but low enough for easy access, and the dark gray color looks sleek against my walnut table.
You can adjust the length precisely, which I really appreciate. There’s no fiddling with awkward lengths; you pull it out until it spans the needed distance, and it stays put. It completely changes the dynamic of serving meals.
Pro Tip: When setting this up for a party, put your heaviest items—like a casserole dish or a pitcher of water—near the center axis of the main spinning disk. This distributes the weight efficiently and gives you the smoothest rotation possible.
Build Quality and Movement
The entire full set, which includes the main base and two extension units, feels incredibly solid. It’s made from a durable, heavy-duty material that doesn’t feel cheap or brittle. Often, expandable gadgets like this rely on flimsy plastic, but this unit uses high-quality components for the track system.
The movement itself is shockingly smooth. When expanded, there’s always a concern that the friction points on the table surface will cause jerking or wobble, but the bearings underneath the central disc are high quality. Even when the extensions are resting on the table, the central plate spins freely and silently. I found the bearings to be significantly quieter than some traditional bamboo turntables I’ve used in the past.
Lazy Susans gained their popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, but historical records suggest rotating serving trays were used as far back as 18th-century England, often referred to as “dumbwaiters.” They were essential before personal serving staff became commonplace.
Ease of Setup and Storage
Setting up the Lazy Susan Revolution takes less than two minutes once you understand the components. You simply place the central unit, slide the extension rails out to the length you need, and you’re done. No tools, no complex instructions.
However, let’s talk storage. Because this is an expandable system, the full kit (main unit plus two tracks) takes up significant real estate when it’s not in use. You can’t just toss it in a shallow drawer. You need dedicated vertical space in a pantry or a deep cabinet. If you only plan to use the circular center piece, storage is easy, but if you’re using the full rectangular setup, make sure you budget the necessary space.
I found that the tracks clip securely under the main disc for storage, which keeps the parts together and prevents them from rattling around—a thoughtful design choice that prevents lost pieces in the chaos of a busy kitchen.
Practical Use: Dining & Entertaining
This is where I address my initial skepticism. I tested the stability rigorously. I piled it high with heavy, uneven items—big mixing bowls, platters of roast vegetables, and, yes, that massive twelve-pound Thanksgiving turkey platter I mentioned earlier.
The result? It handled the load perfectly.
The reason it works is that the expansion tracks provide critical, distributed support along the length of the table, eliminating the leverage problem that would instantly tip a standard turntable used off-center. Guests loved it. Instead of the awkward “Can you pass the mashed potatoes?” sequence that usually involves leaning across Aunt Carol, everything became immediately accessible with a gentle push.
The dark gray surface proved excellent for catching spills and crumbs. At a recent chili cook-off I hosted, having all the fixings—cheese, sour cream, onions—arranged on the spinning platform meant less table clutter and faster serving. The turntable isn’t just a novelty; it genuinely streamlines the dining experience, especially when hosting large groups.
The term “Lazy Susan” is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, who allegedly invented a similar rotating tray for his daughter Susan, although definitive proof is lacking. The name really stuck around the time patented models started appearing around 1917.
How It Stacks Up
When you compare the Lazy Susan Revolution to traditional models, you realize you’re comparing apples and oranges. Standard models are built for convenience in small, defined spaces (kitchen cabinets or small circular tables). This product, however, is built for large-scale entertaining and solving a specific spatial problem: rectangular tables.
If your primary need is cabinet organization, a basic plastic or bamboo turntable will suffice. But if you host dinners, use your dining room regularly, or need to serve multiple dishes to eight or more people, the Revolution is in a league of its own because of its unique geometry. It’s an investment in entertaining functionality, not just storage convenience.
| Product Name | Rating | Price Level | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lazy Susan Revolution – Full Set | 4.8/5 | $$$ | See Price |
| Traditional Bamboo Lazy Susan (18″) | 4.5/5 | $ | See Price |
| OXO Good Grips Non-Skid Turntable | 4.7/5 | $$ | See Price |
| Kootek Plastic Refrigerator Turntable | 4.3/5 | $ | See Price |
Pros
- ✓ Patented design solves the rectangular table problem elegantly.
- ✓ Superior stability even when fully loaded and extended.
- ✓ High-quality bearings ensure quiet, smooth movement.
- ✓ Modular components allow use as a standard circular Susan or a full rectangular set.
- ✓ The dark gray finish is modern and hides spills well.
Cons
- ✕ The price is significantly higher than basic turntables.
- ✕ Requires ample storage space when disassembled.
- ✕ Dark finish shows dust and fingerprints easily.
- ✕ Needs a relatively flat table surface for the extension tracks to operate optimally.
Verdict & Final Recommendation
The Lazy Susan Revolution is more than just a kitchen gadget; it’s a practical piece of entertaining equipment that fundamentally changes how you serve meals on non-circular tables. If you host parties, frequent family gatherings, or just struggle to reach the salt shaker on your long dining table, this is absolutely worth the investment. The stability and smooth function under real-world pressure exceeded my high expectations. It’s a definite winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long can the Lazy Susan Revolution expand to fit?
A: The full set is designed to accommodate oblong and rectangular tables up to approximately 70 inches in length, depending on where the main central unit is placed. The extension tracks are adjustable.
Q: Can I use this Lazy Susan as a standard circular turntable?
A: Absolutely. The central 18-inch disc operates independently and can be used on its own, making it useful for centerpieces or kitchen counter organization when you don’t need the full expansion.
Q: Is the material safe for food contact?
A: While the material itself is durable and safe, we recommend placing food on platters or in serving dishes. The turntable itself is designed to hold serving ware, not directly contact unpackaged food.
Q: How do I clean the turntable?
A: Cleaning is straightforward. Wipe the entire surface down with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Since the dark gray can show water spots, drying it immediately after wiping helps maintain its pristine look. It is not recommended for dishwashers.
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