A guide to Lazy Susan turntables

The Lazy Susan is rumoured to have been named by illustrious people such as Thomas Edison and Thomas Jefferson, even though neither claim has been established. The alleged premise of a girl named Susan, complaining that she was always served last at the table may be considered as a stronger option when the reason for such a name is discussed. Nonetheless, this convenient revolving tabletop accessory has been popular since the 17th century.

The design of the Lazy Susan

The Lazy Susan is designed to be a rotating turntable on meal tables which allows everyone easy access to food placed on the platform. The Lazy Susan is usually built into tables manufactured for restaurants, but is available as a separate attachment to almost any table. This convenient table accessory is used to make food and seasonings accessible to everyone at the table. How does a Lazy Susan work?
The product has a central hub which is mounted onto a table, with the revolving platform on top. A Lazy Susan eliminates the need for having to pass food across a table. A well-designed Lazy Susan usually covers a quarter of the table area, leaving enough table area to eat comfortably in. Lazy Susan turntables are usually found on circular or oval tables while on long tables, there may be multiple platforms.

Choosing your Lazy Susan

You want a platform which is easy to install, safe and matches the aesthetics of your table. Some of the important things to consider when buying the Lazy Susan are: Materials and customisation
The Lazy Susan is manufactured using metal, stone, glass, wood, or plastic although wood is the raw material of choice. While the tray design is common, these turntables can be customised with centerpieces to hold crockery and cutlery. Some versions of the Lazy Susan include wine bottle holders, ashtrays and food warmers. A wooden Lazy Susan should be made of water-resistant, termite resistant wood and treated for boiling water spills. Always check a glass Lazy Susan for chipped edges and ensure that the glass used is toughened. Glass and metal do not sit well together unless crafted well, so ensure that metal parts are not loose or prone to wobble. Weight distribution
It is important to check how your Lazy Susan handles weighted objects at the edges. Good turntables will not wobble or tilt even when a reasonable weight is placed on one edge. Rotation and installation
A turntable should be easy to install and remove for cleaning. The table area under a Lazy Susan is prone to gather food scraps and other dirt. A turntable that can be raised and lowered is a smart choice. Check the turntable bearings so that the platform revolves easily.