Kitchen

Eight turntable ideas for a small pantry and kitchen

By Molly from Place for It All

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Every pick below is based on the manufacturer’s published specifications, not on anyone handling the product.

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. All eight ideas here come from one maker, YouCopia, which sells turntables in several sizes. Each idea names a problem, the space it happens in, and the published specs that make a particular turntable a sensible fit.

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 SmoothSpin™ Turntable with 3 Bins has the same footprint and height as the six-bin version, 10.6 by 10.6 by 4.2 inches (26.9 by 26.9 by 10.7 cm), with three clear, removable bins instead of six. Fewer dividers mean each section is larger, which suits snacks you grab by the handful. It turns on the same stainless steel ball bearings, stands on non-slip feet and needs no tools.

If you are torn between the two, count your categories. Six small groups of items suit the six-bin model; three bigger groups suit this one. Since the outside dimensions match, either drops into the same spot on a shelf.

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 SmoothSpin™ Two-Tier Turntable stacks two spinning levels, and the clearance between them adjusts to 5, 6 or 7 inches (12.7, 15.2 or 17.8 cm). Overall it measures 10.6 by 10.6 inches (26.9 by 26.9 cm) across and 7.0 to 9.0 inches (17.8 to 22.9 cm) tall, and the manufacturer sizes it for standard cabinets. It goes together with a twist-and-lock design and no tools, and the non-slip feet are meant to hold it in place inside the cabinet.

The numbers: measure your clear height first. If the shelf above sits 10 inches (25.4 cm) up, the tallest setting of 9.0 inches (22.9 cm) still fits. If you only have 8 inches (20.3 cm), stick to a lower setting.

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 MagicTrack™ Rectangle Turntable is the rectangular design that spins forward on its track and rotates fully on stainless steel ball bearings. The non-slip feet keep it in place, and it goes in without tools.

The numbers: at 10.2 inches (25.9 cm) deep, 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) wide and only 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) tall, it takes almost nothing from your shelf height. Subtract 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) from your clear height and that is how tall a bottle can be. In a cabinet with 12 inches (30.5 cm) of clearance, that leaves room for bottles up to about 10.5 inches (26.7 cm). It is made of recycled plastic in speckled white.

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 FridgeView® Fridge Turntable is a turntable sized for fridge shelves. The manufacturer lists snacks, sauces and drinks among the things it organizes, along with medicine and toiletries if you move it elsewhere. It turns on stainless steel ball bearings, and its soft, non-slip feet are designed to stay put without marking the shelf. There is nothing to assemble, it is listed as BPA-free, and it is described as easy to clean, which matters for anything living next to open jars.

The numbers: the diameter is 10.8 inches (27.4 cm), which the manufacturer sizes for standard fridge and cabinet shelves. Measure your fridge shelf depth before you buy: it needs at least 10.8 inches (27.4 cm) front to back, plus a little room so the door closes cleanly.

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 between the SmoothSpin and MagicTrack lines

The SmoothSpin, FridgeView and SinkSuite models measure the same in depth and width, so they suit square-ish spaces and corners. 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:

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.