It is crucial to check some of the features of a defrosting tray before purchasing one. The defrosting time and the tray’s material are the critical factors that can affect its quality.
Some models also include features such as dripping trays, alternate cutting boards, and cleaning equipment. It is important to check for the following features before buying a thawing tray:
The main purpose of a defrosting tray is to defrost meat quickly, the average time depends upon the tray’s material and its thickness. A two-hour defrosting time is good enough, but some products take even less time than that. Some trays only take 30 to 60 minutes to defrost meat. The defrosting time also depends upon the size of the meat. Smaller pieces take less time to thaw and vice versa. Check out some reviews to get an idea of the average defrosting time.
Most defrosting trays use aluminum since it is sturdy, an excellent heat conductor, and pretty durable. Different qualities of aluminum can affect a tray’s quality, too. You can also find copper-based defrosting trays in the market, but they are harder to clean. Considering that, we’d recommend going with aluminum trays.
The price of defrosting trays can range anywhere from $15 to $70. Usually, higher-quality trays are more expensive. The more expensive ones often include additional features, like a cleaning sponge, along with the tray.
Nobody wants to spend money on a defrosting tray every few weeks. So, it is necessary to get a durable model that can last for months, if not years. Aluminum trays are considered fairly durable and can be your defrosting buddy for a long time.
The size of a tray is a key factor when purchasing one. If you live by yourself or with a small family, a small defrosting tray can be the best option, and a larger one is better if you frequently host dinner parties.
As cold food defrosts, it usually sticks to the surface, making it difficult to clean later. To avoid this headache, look for a defrosting tray with a nonstick coating, so you can easily clean it once your food is ready for cooking.
Some additional features can give you a better experience using defrosting trays. Here’s what you need to know:
Many sets include a dripping tray along with the defrosting tray to absorb the moisture as the ice melts. This helps save your counter or table from spills, resulting in less cleaning time.
Generally, the weight of most defrosting trays ranges from one to three pounds. Try to look for more lightweight trays so you can carry them around easily and they won’t take up much space. Plus, this will also make it more portable so you can carry it to picnics or parties.
Knowing how to clean your tray after you are done with it is essential. Some defrosting trays are not dishwasher safe. In this case, you should clean them by hand using a sponge and washing liquid. So, ensure the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions match your preferences.
Customer reviews rave about this option’s durability too, so you know you’re getting something worth the money. In terms of quality, this is a great product. The manufacturer has 70 years in the industry, and this defrosting tray is proof of that. We chose this option as the best overall on this list because its capacity can accommodate multiple bacon slices, so you don’t have to wait hours to defrost bacon in large quantities.
This option from Nordicware is ideal for cooking bacon, and it uses a sloped design that drains away grease and fat. The ridges in the tray also keep food separate from any drained-away grease, simplifying the transfer from your freezer to the pot.
The thawing plate is made of aluminum, which extracts frostiness from food and into the plate. The manufacturer also advertises about modifying the design after listening to home cooks’ requirements, which has helped improve the thawing capacity and time.
With a 0.23-inch thickness, this defrosting tray from Blazin’ conducts more heat for quicker thawing. Plus, this option has deeper and wider draining channels, allowing faster defrosting than other boards on the market. The tray is 16-inches long too, which is ideal for defrosting chicken, fish, steak, salmon, pork, and even vegetables. This product can meet your entire family’s needs!
The tray is large enough for thawing two large chicken breasts, or one large salmon filet, in around two hours. Despite its size though, you can easily store it in a cupboard or drawer until you need it again. Using this tray is simple, too — just take out the frozen food from the box, place it on the plate, and let it do its work!
The option from Thawmax is a safe way to defrost steak, chicken, and other food items. It has a full silicone border that helps prevent messy spills and drips, making food prep a breeze. With this product, you remove your microwave from the equation, retain the nutrients in your food, and get to the cooking stage faster.
Additionally, this product has a nonstick coating, which helps with defrosting food without letting it stick to the surface. This makes post-defrosting cleaning super easy, too. You can wipe it with a moist sponge, or some mild soap, and it’ll be good for your next session.
Cuisinart is a renowned manufacturer of kitchen appliances, utensils, and other food prep products, adding to the credibility of their defrosting tray. This option offers quick and even thawing using a food-safe, highly conductive aluminum. The tray has a sleek design and a durable surface, making it easy to use and convenient.
This option has four red silicone corners, making it easy to carry. It comes with a hanging rope and sponge. The manufacturer recommends using the sponge that comes included for cleaning the nonstick surface to avoid damaging it. The tray also includes two holes, which you can use to hang it up when it’s not in use, providing easy storage and access.
This defrosting tray from Yundoog is a natural and efficient alternative to microwaving, helping save electricity while retaining more natural flavors, vitamins, and nutrients in your frozen food. With this healthier way of thawing meat or frozen items, you can save time and get other things done.
A: Yes, these trays are very safe. The manufacturers make them using food-safe materials (aluminum or copper). They function by evenly conducting heat, but that attracts bacteria. So, keeping your tray in the refrigerator while defrosting is best.
A: No, the USDA recommends against leaving meat out for more than two hours in temperatures above 90-degrees Fahrenheit. It will most likely develop bacteria.
A: Generally, it takes anywhere between 40 minutes to two hours for meat to defrost. This also depends on a tray's quality as well. Some trays can thaw faster meat than others.