Vintage Housewares: The Lazy Susan

Popular in the mid twentieth century, the Lazy Susan is a multi-compartmental server that rests on a rotating stand. Back when entertaining in one's home was a real occasion, the Lazy Susan was often a centerpiece of a buffet table. Perfect for presenting a variety of hors d'oeuvres, relishes or nibbles, these could be used for cocktail hour, dinner service or dessert. Here's a few from the Cavalcade collection.
#vintage
#vintagehousewares
#housewares
#lazysusan

[@markaustin4370]

You will live this!!!! I grew up in a house built in 1910 and the dining room table was built in. There was a pull string under the edge of the table and a huge lasy Susan in the middle of the table If you pulled the string the Susan rotated. It did retract As a kid i loved when a tablecloth covered the table at the holidays Pull the string and all the dishes went flying!!!!

[@jakeblake231]

😝

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL!! Thanks, Mark! What a great table that must have been and as a kid it must have been hard to resist not pulling that cord! I can see the dishes taking off now! LOL! Thanks for sharing that story!

[@corrinnacorrinna5572]

Special request here.....please do a cheeseball episode with beautiful vintage cheeseball/butter dishes.

[@raymondszczesniakiewicz748]

I Bet Thank you for your comment and many Blessings.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

@@corrinnacorrinna5572 Great idea for a holiday episode! Thanks!

[@jonathan_nc]

My mom had 6 brothers and sisters and they had a lazy Susan in their dining table too. It got moved to the basement and then we used it for holiday buffets. Mom also has a lazy Susan corner cabinet in her kitchen and she would use a ceramic one for parties now and then, but not often. Speaking of Lucy and Ethel, Ricky always called it a "Lousy Susan" on the show.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jonathan - I've never seen a table with the built in Lazy Susan, but it makes sense that they would have made something like that. I can see big families using it everyday. Love how Ricky got the name of these wrong!! LOL! Thanks!

[@HumbleVoyager]

My grandmother had a Lazy Susan that was built into the center of her kitchen dining table. It was fun to spin!! You never had to ask for someone to "pass" something; just spin the wheel!! I loved it. Thanks for the fun video!!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Nancy - a few others have mentioned a table set up like this. I never saw a built in type, but they sound great!! Thanks!

[@dawnelder9046]

In the old version of the movie Yours, Mine and ours they have that table.

[@sandradaniels7662]

Totally LOVED this episode! This was such a fun episode! I need a Lazy Susan in my life! Thanks so much for an eye opening and educational experience.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, Sandra! Thanks for watching!

[@raymondszczesniakiewicz748]

The Lady Susans in this Video Are Amazing Very Beautiful Always had a Lady Susan and Always will.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thank you, Raymond!

[@KbB-kz9qp]

Oh the party ware - very nice! I was born in early 1960’s and you are correct, we had house parties. The fold-up card tables. (with cloth), and all the SD middle class fancy. We always tried doing things like it was shown on TV. Leave it to Beaver, The Lucy Show and The Brady Bunch - all nice moms! Well into the 1980’s, lots of South Dakota girls would slice veggies and put Homemade Dressing, or French onion soup dip in the middle - Mmm! Some kitchens even had lazy susanas in the cupboard, where the shelf would rotate. Thanks for the memories! Guacamole and chips - and Fondoo too! Oh my, those were fun times, very special times. Thanks again! 😀

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks for sharing your memories from SD! It was always fun to have friends and family over!

[@salliemorrill2671]

Don't remember Lazy Susans in the family arsenal of party preps. Over the yrs, my parents had accumulated quite a collection of appetizer plates which were very useful at big US Navy parties or Christmas parties. I still collect the stainless steel bowls (that were usually placed in the center of the plate)from thrift stores. I love those things! Collect different sizEach one of us kids had assigned duties; I took pride in preparing veggie trays & creating dips in those bowls, while my siblings constructed massive finger sandwich & Deviled Egg trays. Wonderful episode, very educational & fun. Thank you for doing the camera work, Ralph. Hello to Maryann and Wally. Thx again for all your time and effort making these videos. Always excited to catch a new one! God bless.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thank you, Sallie! Wonderful that you collect stainless steel bowls - so many good uses for them and they are break-proof!! Appreciate you watching!

[@allisbe]

OMGosh!!! I have had the metal base for the Anchor Hocking lazy susan for years and had no idea what it was for…I just like things that spin and thought I could find a fun use for it. 😂 Now I know exactly what to use it for! 🎉

[@cavalcadeoffood]

How great that you have the base!! Now you know! Hope you use it next time you need a Lazy Susan!

[@allisbe]

@@cavalcadeoffood Oh, I leapt out of my chair and immediately dug it out of storage. It was beplattered and spinning lazily on my kitchen table before I even finished your video! 😂

[@shellahiser363]

I remember those days.. My mom did alot of Tupperware parties And on the weekends they would have some family members over to play cards And I would always see snack tray Or vegetables tray on a lazy Susan.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Great memory - thanks, Shella!

[@judyp.6753]

I have 2 that were my mom’s from California Pottery. One is pink and off white and the other is brown and beige. Whenever we have family and friends over to grill burgers, I like to fill the lazy Susan’s up with fixings for the burgers. I really like your idea about filling them up with candies! Definitely going to try that, if I can stop myself from eating all of it before the guests arrive!😂

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Judy! Love your idea to use them for burger toppings!! That's fun! I know, having all that candy around is dangerous! LOL! Thanks!

[@ravenmccall5486]

Great Aunt Thelma had a green and yellow one on the wood base .In the summer time it was always filled with celery, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and etc. I have a Kromex and glass one that my parents bought me in the 1970's which I occasionally bring out. This was a fun one Kevin & Ralph, thank you!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Raven! Your aunt had a nice way of keeping fresh veggies our for snacking! Great idea!

[@donnaclinton5578]

These were such fun! I remember as a kid thinking that it was like a merry-go-round ride for the food.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL! Hi Donna - what a great way of thinking of these!!

[@Ladythyme]

Those work well for Taco Night! 😊…I still have my mom’s from the 1950s and use it all of the time!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Lady Thyme! Yes! Great idea for all the fixings for tacos!! Thanks!!

[@jakeblake231]

# 2 ! . . . Mom's Lazy Susan. As you said, your old friend Anchor-Hocking. Absolutely ubiquitous! I really like the combo of green and yellow. My whole house is decorated in it. . . . Those two Lazy Susans are so 50s and sooo spring, but that pink / black one is outstanding!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jake - these color combos from the 50's are so fun and warm! We need more colors like this today! Thanks!

[@monicabrazil212]

My parents had one like the green and yellow one. When my parents had it, it was always on top of the refrigerator full of stuff like extra keys, etc. Now I have it in my dining room on display with all of my moms Franciscan Wild Rose China collection.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Monica! So glad you still have it and display it! Thanks!

[@meredithlynn]

Hi Kevin and Ralph, hope you are having a blessed day. I love anything vintage in kitchenware. You alway show such amazing items. I love the idea of using the lazy susan for candy. I’m definitely going to be using this idea for my next get together. I just need to add, I host guest in my home for dinner and entertainment. It’s really the best way to build friendships. I was just thinking the large yellow and green lazy susan needs to have a baked artichoke and spinach dip in the large pot with carrots, crackers, radishes in the side dishes. Yummy❤😊

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi meredithlynn! Your guests will have fun with an assortment of candy in a lazy Susan. I love your idea about putting spinach dip in the middle and all the dipping items all around!! Great way to use it!! Thank you!

[@juliepaul9563]

Greetings, Kevin and Ralph! Fun show today. My lazy susan (wedding gift, 1980) is a large teak unsegmented platter that I use as a charcuterie board. I guess by the 80's, the compartmented type was out of fashion. My mom had one that was hammered aluminum. 1940's? Love your show😊

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks so much, Julie! Your teak one sounds beautiful, and perfect for charcuterie!

[@carolynharmon7074]

Here's a story, my mother had one on the kitchen table with vintage depression glass containers. The containers held Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Creamer, salt & pepper shakers, toothpick holder, Napkin holder. That Lazy Susan was jam packed and not so lazy. Well one day me and my sisters were sitting around the table talking and I was way old enough to know better but sure wasn't thinking anything other than, I wonder how FAST I can make this spin. And I gave it everything I had and I bet you know what happen, everything went FLYING, crashing to the floor 😲😨😱then I too went FLYING out the door, running over the glass (bare feet) getting out of dodge before Mom came running in. One of my dumbest days, of course I laugh about it now, and glad I live to tell the story.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Carolyn!! Wow - what a story!! Thanks for sharing it! I'm sure your mom was not happy! These are the crazy things we do as kids! Thanks!

[@knitterscheidt]

oh yes, every household had one in the mid 60s. Mom had one of cut glass, probably Fostoria since she collected it. It was great for Christmas cookies!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

What a great way to serve an assortment of different cookies! Thanks!

[@kathleenpalmer845]

We didn’t have a table top lazy Susan but I remember seeing them in friend’s homes being used for S&P, sugar shakers,napkin holders, condiments etc. We called our lower corner cupboard that had a revolving two-tiered shelf in it “the lazy Susan” in my mom’s kitchen. I have one in my kitchen and call it the same . Mom had a multi-compartment relish tray just no revolving base. I have multiple of those style relish trays. My parents belonged to a couples bridge club that met for 40+ years, and my mom also had a ladies bridge club . I was fascinated as a little girl - seeing my mom set up all her entertaining accouterments and hearing the pop and steam whoosh of her shiny GE percolator that I now have. I subsequently have a LOT of entertaining dishes. 🤣🤪 l need a butler’s pantry BADLY.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Kathleen! Sounds like you have a lot of nice things. I miss the days when people did more home entertaining and got to use the relish trays, lazy Susans, and other serving ware. Thanks!

[@amywright2243]

My uncle was a carpenter, and he made a plain wooden Lazy Susan for us. I don't remember that we used it but it was on the table for many years.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Amy!! Nice that your uncle was able to make one - must have been a talented carpenter!

[@ellenpeterson-t9w]

I like your show Cavalcade of Foods!!!! I love all the vintage items you talk about!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy the channel!

[@NANSC8]

We had a green lazy Susan growing up. I need to find it and put it use. Would be fun!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hope you find yours and use it! Thanks!

[@PC-un7zf]

I love this episode! So many ways to use a lazy Susan. Taco night with all the add-ons. Salad/Baked potato bar with all the bacon, dairy & veggies.Brownie sundaes with candies and toppings.The pink and black looks like something you'd see on the Jetson's!🥰

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Those are all wonderful ideas for using a Lazy Susan! Thanks!

[@johnhpalmer6098]

We never had the multiple compartment type of lazy Susan, but often had the plastic ones for cupboards for small items like spices or small bowls. I have 3, one is a beige single level Rubbermaid that is now over 40 years old, and 2 harvest gold 2 tiered units in use in my cupboards, one is for mise en place bowls/ramekins etc. The other one is for spices in the pantry cupboard. Those gold ones are likely closer to 50 years old and came from good friends years ago.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi John - sounds like you have a nice assortment of vintage ones for organization in the cupboards. Nice!

[@tallboyyyy]

I don't remember having a lazy susan but growing up we had a wooden turntable on our breakfast table that we kept napkins, salt and pepper, sugar, maybe vitamins or prescription medication on and it was easy to just spin it around to get what you needed.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi tallboyyyy-sounds like you had something that was the same idea. Made it handy to keep a lot of things on the table top. Thanks!

[@cynthia9575]

I grew up with Lazy Susans, and have a turquoise and pink California Pottyey version now. I also use them in my cupboards and have a huge built in one for my pots and pans (our home was built in 1950 and is mostly intact. Love your housewares videos!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Cynthia! I always thought the ones built into cupboards were a great feature!

[@terrysuemakesvideosforyou9940]

I love the lazy susans! My mom had several that we always used for holidays and I have some too. While you were showing them, I remembered seeing a movie or tv program where the family had alazy susan on the table, and they were cooking breakfast and putting all the scrambled eggs, toast and sausage ect. in it and the kids were serving themselves. It was a cool idea! Thank you for this fun video. I wish that we entertained like we used to. What fun!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Terry Sue! Seems like they made tables with built in Lazy Susans - a few viewers have mentioned these. Would have loved to had one growing up!

[@terrysuemakesvideosforyou9940]

@cavalcadeoffood this wS just a ceramic one but it was large with the covered dish in the middle! Interesting!

[@charlessommers7218]

Good show 👍

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Charles!

[@WeHadOneOfThose]

Nice selection there Kevin , we had a few teak & stainless steel models here in the 70`s !!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks. I always thought those teak ones were handsome.

[@1corinthians-138]

We never had one for the table, but I love the blue and white one.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks! That's a nice one!

[@alexvorhaus3330]

I remember the Anchor Hawking. My grandmother used it for her bridge club, and she had the matching snack/bridge set!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Alex!! Those were perfect for bridge club! I'm sure your grandmother was pleased to have them! Thanks!!

[@colleenunvarnished]

No lazy susan in my home. I had no idea this is how they were used. Very interesting. Thank you.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, Colleen!

[@jack6964]

Great video! We had a lazy Susan, chrome or stainless base with pressed glass dishes. The center round one had a matching chrome lid with a wooden knob. I used to love to help fill it. It received a lot of use!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi John - I've seen ones much like you had - glad that it got a lot of use! Thanks!

[@scooterdover2771]

Great video, and love those 50''s colors. I've got some of the Fiesta compartment trays but no Lazy Susans.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Scooter! I've seen those Fiesta compartment trays - great colors!

[@VickiFromMichigan]

Hello Kevin and Ralph! Fun to see all your sets!!! When I'm out hunting for treasures I often see only a piece or two of these Lazy Susan sets. It would be awesome to find a complete set including the spinning stand. I especially love the 50s pink and black pottery set! You have such a fantastic collection of vintage kitchen items, and was wondering how long have you been collecting and what got you interested in collecting?? Thanks for sharing!!!🥰

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Victoria! These are always fun to run across at the sales and thrift stores. I've been collecting for 45 years. I would say getting things that I knew my mom would enjoy and appreciate is what got me started, and then I was hooked! Thanks!

[@raymondszczesniakiewicz748]

One Love Polska USA !@@cavalcadeoffood

[@tinag1234]

I love this channel! Very Nostalgic. Love it. I have the American Precut Lazy Susan - passed down from mom.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thank you! That American Prescut Lazy Susan is great! Enjoy!

[@mathgeek7966]

Love the black and pink version, and really fun to see the Anchor Hocking base! It looks familiar, so I'll bet my mom had ine of those!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, mathgeek! That black and pink one couldn't be any more 1950's!

[@60gregma]

My sister and I were talking about this over the holidays. Our mom loved entertaining and always went all out. A crudité tray was a must. She had a tray much like the Anchor Hocking one you showed. These days, we just pick up a veggie tray at the store. Not nearly as special. Going to make a point to drag that old tray out next year.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi 60gregma! Yes, get that nice glass tray out and use it! It really makes it special! Thanks!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Ours was pressed glass but we thought it was crystal. My Mom loved to use it only for the holudays because it was so fancy. It held all of our antipasti.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Tucker! What a great way to serve antipasti! Thanks!

[@ryanmckay2535]

No azy suzan, but i do have a Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster that I restored and found a date code inside of 1955 stamped inside. Also have 3 Sunbeam Crocker Cookers in Harvest Gold, Avacado Green, and white that I use regularly. I'm more of an antique automotive collector, but anything vintage is cool to me.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Ryan - enjoy the toaster! Those are great!

[@ryanmckay2535]

@cavalcadeoffood OH, I certainly do. That toaster is by far my favorite vintage kitchen item. It never fails to impress me.

[@msb358]

I remember Mom had a lazy Susan on her table when Dad and she had friends over for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails back in the 60s and 70s. Love this episode! But I love all your episodes. 🙂 Are you planning a vintage Halloween episode?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, MSB! Don't think I'll be doing a Halloween episode, but some autumn recipes. Thanks!

[@MJ-cc4uf]

I believe the glass set with wood lid might have been produced by Kromex which was located in Cleveland, OH.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, MJ. I can't find a marking on it, but I know Kromex made a lot of chrome plated serving ware, so it might be one of theirs.

[@MJ-cc4uf]

@@cavalcadeoffood - I believe I even found one at Trash to Treasures in Lexington.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

@@MJ-cc4uf Great! I love that store!

[@Canerican.]

We had a lazy Susan under the cupboards in a corner of the cabinet!

[@AugustMeteors]

Yes, the home I grew up in had a cabinet like that. And the first mobile home I bought had one too. They are great for filling an inner corner in your base cabinet layout, because the lazy susan is built right into that right-angle door that pivots and it makes it a very economical use of space. But 12 years ago I bought into my current cooperative and alas, no lazy susan in this kitchen, nor even a place where one could be.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi CC - what a nice feature! Wish I had those - so handy in a corner cabinet!

[@patriciajackson2565]

My Mom had a Lazy Susan that came out at Thanksgiving and Christmas. One year, shortly after my brother got married, my sister-in-law (Susan) was helping with the holiday dinner prep. My Mom was in the kitchen trying to assemble the lazy susan and having a little difficulty. At one point she exclaimed, "Awww dang this lazy susan!!" My sister-in-law then answered back, "I'm trying the best I can!!" 😂😂

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL! Great story, Patricia! Thanks for sharing it!

[@bucknk8edrobertlee734]

Thank You

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome! Appreciate you watching!

[@raymondszczesniakiewicz748]

Love Every Episode Kevin is Amazing .@@cavalcadeoffood

[@sandralopez4624]

I have the one with the wooden lid on the glass bowl. It came in a Kromex box.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Sandra!

[@thethriftyfawn]

Oh my goodness... I always thought "Lazy Susan" was an insult, not an object! 🤣

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL!

[@TW1257]

My mother's is a Kromex. I don't remember it having the center bowl. Might have gotten broken.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi TW - Kromex made so many nice serving pieces. I think they had a round covered bowl in the center, as I recall. Thanks!

[@jeffkevin9015]

We had a wooden one that sat in the middle of the dinner table. Napkin holder, salt & pepper, and toothpicks were always full. I also have the Prescut one for entertaining.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jeff and Kevin! These were great to keep all those things handy on the table at all times! Thanks!

[@susanpaulson9010]

Our L Susan didn’t have compartments. Mom put seasonings and condiments that went with the meal. We served ourselves.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Susan - what a nice way to use the lazy Susan! Thanks!

[@susanpaulson9010]

@@cavalcadeoffood I really like this channel. Love the reviews on the gadgets, appliances and serving options that we grew up with. These often were the best way to prepare or present the food.

[@dawnelder9046]

You can still buy them. Just looked them up. Expensive. We never owned one growing up, so assuming they were always expensive.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

I didn't know if they still made them. Thanks!

[@jeanhoffman-d6m]

I have a White Fiesta one but there is no rotating bottom

[@cavalcadeoffood]

I don't believe the Fiesta line had a rotating stand, at least I've never seen one. Thanks!

[@gregbudig5014]

From the internet... Others claim Thomas Edison, having invented a turntable for his phonograph in 1877, further developed it into the Lazy Susan. There's an idea that Susan was a common name for maids and the term Lazy Susan was a criticism of household servants who were not working hard.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Very interesting, Greg! It would be something if Edison had his hand in the invention of the Lazy Susan - he certainly came up with a lot of new ideas! Thanks!

[@sylviafischer7739]

😍❤👍

[@FoxeemaTV]

n our 1950s house we had a built in big one for canned goods under counter 3 levels

[@cavalcadeoffood]

That sounds like a nice feature! Thanks!

[@garyhart7449]

Ricky Ricardo always called them "Lousy Susans".

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL! Love that! Thanks, Gary!

[@markaustin4370]

You didn't really touch on functional non serving LS I have two in my kitchen cabinets for large spices so things dont get buried

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Mark - I wish I had some examples to show - I don't have any in my cabinets or anywhere else. I've always liked the idea of them - easy access to things, especially spices. Thanks!

[@larryknickerbocker3282]

Have two lazy Susan's. I wish I could send them to you . Nobody wants them.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Larry - ask around, hopefully someone would like to have them. They really are handy for entertaining. Thanks!!

[@andreaberryhill6654]

Seems to me the art of entertaining has been lost to the general population

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Andrea - people don't entertain in their homes the way they used to. Thanks!

[@andreaberryhill6654]

@@cavalcadeoffood But we need to again. How many people stay in our post covid world? Made their circle of friends smaller? The economy is worse. But even if you're just serving your family, a few extended family members, or a couple of friends... why not with flair?! Vintage retains value. Care for it & resell (or trade at a shop) when you're ready to redo decor. It's an educational matter. So happy to find your channel. Adding it to my list of videos people should watch for that education.

[@paulnichols2233]

Susan got a bad rap

[@cavalcadeoffood]

LOL! Thanks, Paul!

[@tamsondarland8951]

👍👍👍