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Image: MomJunction Design Team
The best defrosting tray can efficiently thaw your foods. It is a flat tray made of metals that conduct heat evenly. When you put frozen meat on a defrosting tray, it conducts the air at room temperature through the meat, where the coldest temperature moves to the tray’s surface. This helps defrost the food fast and efficiently.
A high-quality defrosting tray is essential in the kitchen, especially if you love to eat frozen food. It can be a useful and excellent addition to your kitchen, especially when you regularly deal with frozen food. Here is a list of the top tried-and-tested trays for defrosting food in various designs and colors to help you make the right choice. Pick one that best suits your needs.
While a quality defrosting tray can be a useful and excellent addition to your kitchen, especially when you regularly deal with frozen food, remember that the defrosting speed will depend on the thickness of the food you are defrosting.
Top Picks
13 Best Defrosting Trays To Make Food Preparations Quick In 2024
1. Best Natural: Evelots New Quick Meat Defrosting Tray
Image: Evelots 
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 3,243 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
Designed for quick and natural thawing, this simple defrosting tray from Evelots doesn’t require electricity, water, or a microwave. It uses the principles of conduction to transfer warmth uniformly across the surface. According to the reviewers, the large and flat-surfaced tray allows thawing of various frozen items together in 30 to 60 minutes.
Pros
- Measures 8.1x14x0.6in
- Made of aluminum
- Can be hand-washed
- Can be sterilized in the dishwasher
- Safe and easy to use and maintain
- Solvent-based silicone coating
Cons
- May have sharp edges
- May be a bit thin
"The plate helps speed up the thawing process. Though it is not dishwasher-safe, it is easy to clean, and I like the size, which makes storage easy."
2. Best Eco-Friendly: Zintak Thawing Plate
Image: Zintak Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 2,284 satisfied customers have left positive reviews about the product on Amazon.
The Zintak thawing plate is an excellent choice for those seeking a safe and eco-friendly way of defrosting. It has an eco-friendly design with rustic red silicone borders to prevent a mess from the fluid running off the tray. It naturally generates heat and ensures even thawing of your frozen foods in minutes. Put your food on this rapid-thawing defrosting tray, and you are all done.
Pros
- Made of aluminum
- Measures 14.1×8.7×0.91in
- Weighs 1.15lb
- Dishwasher-safe
- Safe for thawing any food
- Removable silicone borders
Cons
- May take time to thaw meat
- Rubber surrounding it may make it hard to clean
"I love that this tray is dishwasher-safe and doesn't retain the food smell. Though its size is restricted to only small-sized meats, I still prefer this option as it is a dependable option for quick thawing."
3. Best With Non-Stick Coating: Gemitto Fast Defrosting Tray
Image: Gemitto Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,641 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
The smartly designed and superior-quality meat defrosting tray from Gemitto thaws and collects melted water to prevent a mess on your kitchen slab. It lets you thaw frozen food in minutes and requires no hot water or preheating. The tried-and-tested tray works on a 100% physical thawing process without electricity or chemicals to keep your food safe.
Pros
- Made of high-density aluminum and PP plastic
- Non-stick coating makes cleaning effortless
- Durable and unique
- Measures 11.5×7.87in
- Eco-friendly design with four silicone corners
- Thaws in 30 to 60 minutes
- Includes several accessories
Cons
- May take time to thaw thicker foods
- Rubber corners may not stay in place
"This kitchen tool has been handy for uniformly defrosting a variety of meats. Its built-in drip tray also keeps the juices from spilling onto the counter. It is not the quickest but does the job well compared to traditional approaches."
Quick tipEvelots New Meat Defrosting Tray Best Natural | Zintak Thawing Plate Best Eco-Friendly | Gemitto Fast Defrosting Tray Best With Non-Stick Coating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 13.7 ounces | 1.2 Pounds | 1 Pounds |
| Number of Items | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Shape | Rectanglar | Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Dimensions | 14"L x 8.1"W x 0.6"H | 14.41"L x 8.7"W x 0.91"H | 13.39"L x 9.45"W x 0.51"H |
| Material | aluminum with Solvent-Based Silicone coating | Aluminum, Silicone | - |
| Color | Black | Charcoal, Garnet | Dark Black |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 3,243 | 2,284 | 1,641 |
| Price | $17.99 | $24.99 | $23.99 |
4. Best Durable: Evelots Set of 2 Meat Defrosting Tray
Image: Evelots The Evelots meat defrosting tray allows for quick and easy thawing of frozen meats. As it comes as a pack of two, the meat pieces can be sandwiched between the two plate, ensuring a quick, safe thawing method. The tray is made of a durable aluminum material that conducts heat quickly, allowing for faster thawing of food without compromising on its nutritional value.
Pros
- Non-stick, food-grade silicone coating
- Can also be used to defrost vegetables
- No electrical connection required
- Slim design for easy storage
- Measures 14 x 8.1 x 0.6in
Cons
- May not be dishwasher-safe
- May not be suitable for thicker cuts of meat
"For those moments when I forget to take out dinner from the freezer, this tray is quite handy. It significantly cuts down the thawing time and is convenient to use and simple to clean."
5. Best Convenient: BeChef Defrosting Tray
Image: Bechef Thaw your frozen meats quickly with the high-quality BeChef defrosting tray. It makes your job convenient and mess-free and saves effort and time. Loved by reviewers, the set includes a silicone basting brush, shredder claw, and plastic drip tray as add-ons to thaw your frozen food quickly and more efficiently than you’d expect.
Pros
- Measures 14.5×10.2×1.6in
- Made of extra-thick aluminum with a thick Teflon layer
- Dishwasher-safe
- Keeps the nutrient value of food intact
- Natural defrosting process
Cons
- Quality of the drip pan could have been better
6. Best Non-Slip: Little Green Change Fast Defrosting Tray
Image: The Little Green Change Store The Little Green Change fast defrosting tray is made of aluminum that conducts heat efficiently, allowing food to defrost faster than if left on the counter. The defrosting rack also has a non-stick coating to let you easily remove the meat from the surface once it is thawed, making it one of the preferred options of reviewers. The tray does not require electrical connection, thus preventing the need for microwaving to thaw your frozen meat and retaining the foods’ nutritional value.
Pros
- Non-slip feet on corners
- Hanging holes for easy storage
- Large thawing surface
- Easy to clean
- Measures 11.6 x 8.2 x 0.08in
Cons
- May not be dishwasher-safe
- May take time to defrost food completely
"It has been a reliable kitchen companion for me as I can use it with different meats. I particularly like its space-saving design. It is also easy to store and portable enough for use outdoors."
Quick tip7. Best With Draining channels: Blazin’ Thaw Defrosting Tray
Image: Blazin' Thaw The Blazin’ Thaw defrosting tray uses thermal conductivity to quickly and safely defrost your frozen food items. The defrosting surface is made of Teflon-coated food-grade aluminum with increased thickness to improve the thawing speed. This tried-and-tested, special defrosting tray also features wide and deep draining channels that collect water for a mess-free defrosting process while allowing more air to circulate under the meat, making it a trusted choice.
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe
- Removable, leak-proof silicone edges
- Measures 14 x 8 x 0.23in
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Keeps the nutrients and flavors intact
Cons
- Non-slip silicone ends may slide off
- May not work well for irregularly-shaped cuts of meat
"This board helps thaw meat quicker than conventional methods. Its size accommodates even large-sized meat. I'd recommend adding a plate or towel at the bottom of the board to hold the leakage, if any."
8. Best Non-Stick: Ammoti Defrosting Tray
Image: Ammoti The Ammoti fast defrosting tray with a generous size is designed to cater to your different cooking needs on different occasions. Thaw food uniformly and naturally with this extra-large thawing tray that comes with a silicone sponge for rinsing. The complementary drip tray collects the fluid to keep the kitchen counter free of mess. It is also thick enough to hasten the process of thawing.
Pros
- Made of high-density aviation aluminum
- Measures 16×8.1×0.23in
- Non-stick coating
- No-mess design
- Dishwasher-safe
- Convenient to clean and use
- Time-saving
- Ideal for meat, poultry, and fish
Cons
- Plastic drip tray may not be durable
- Thawing area could have been larger
"This large defrosting plate lets me thaw large quantities of meat without using too many utensils. Pairing it with the hot water method further fastened the defrosting process. Overall, it has been an excellent find to make my weekend grill parties hassle-free."
9. Best Lightweight: Cuisinart BBQ Defrosting Tray
Image: Cuisinart The Cuisinart defrosting tray is made of durable, heat-conductive, food-grade aluminum and features a non-stick surface for easy cleaning. As per reviews, the tray is lightweight and compact, making it effortless to use and maintain. Furthermore, this defrosting tray thaws your food quickly and evenly without compromising on the nutritional value, making food preparation a breeze.
Pros
- Slim design for easy storage
- Keeps the nutrients and flavors intact
- Does not require an electrical connection
- Measures 7.72 x 13.8 x 0.52in
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- May not work well for larger cuts of meat
"Getting these defrosting trays has been a wise move, as it speeds up thawing and can sustain large amounts of weight. Although mostly durable, it may require careful handling on hard surfaces. Still, the tray has proven apt for my last-minute meal preparation."
Quick tip10. Best For Preserving Nutrients: That! Inventions Food Defrosting Tray
The simple and effective defrosting tray is designed with a slight tilt for the fluids to escape into the integrated drip tray. Save your time and effort with this unique thawing tray that has an excellent heat conductor and doesn’t require any electricity, batteries, or microwave to defrost your food. You can use it for multiple purposes and get the desired results.
Pros
- Made of food-grade, conductive aluminum
- Should be hand-washed
- Measures 12.75×7.87×0.75in
- Thaws frozen foods naturally and uniformly
- Keeps the nutrients and flavors intact
- No heating or soaking required
Cons
- Coating may chip off eventually
- May take longer than expected to defrost thick meat
"It handles a range of meats with ease while keeping their flavor intact. It's not the largest, but it's perfect for my family of four. I suggest cleaning it by hand instead of the dishwasher to protect the luster."
11. Best Easy-To-Clean: Jean-Patrique Defrosting Tray
Image: Jean-patrique The Jean-Patrique defrosting tray is made of cast aluminum and boasts a unique surface that evenly distributes heat, defrosting meat up to five times faster than if left on the countertop. The defrosting mat’s grooved design enables natural and speedy thawing while preventing bacterial growth and retaining the food’s nutritional value.
Pros
- Non-slip silicone base
- Easy-to-clean non-stick surface
- Does not require an electrical connection
- Measures 13.78x 8.07x 0.07in
Cons
- No drip-tray
- May not be dishwasher-safe
12. Best BPA-Free: Fatizone Defrosting Tray
The Fatizone Defrosting Tray helps thaw chicken slices, lamb chops, and vegetables efficiently and helps you save time. Made of premium-grade aluminum material, the three-millimeter-thick tray does not require any artificial heating and is built to make the thawing process at least nine times faster than normal room temperature. As per reviewers, it has a drip tray that helps protect your counters from any instances of liquids oozing out of frozen foods. Moreover, the tray is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean with a silicone scrubber.
Pros
- Made of aluminum
- BPA-free
- Non-stick surface
- No microwave needed
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Coating may peel off after a few uses
"I like this tray for its impressive defrosting time--it takes less time to thaw even thicker steaks. The compact size offers the convenience of easy storage, and the added drip pan and mesh cover are pretty helpful."
13. Best Dishwasher-Safe: GafiChef Defrosting Tray
Defrost your food easily and quickly with this natural and safe defrosting tray. It has a tried-and-tested groove design to drain the liquid. The eco-friendly thaw tray doesn’t require hot water, microwave, or fire to thaw frozen foods. It is designed to let you lead a healthy lifestyle, and the practical and modern defrost tray gives you the best results. This is not only an affordable option but functional too.
Pros
- Made of food-grade aluminum alloy
- Non-slip feet for easy handling
- High-precision nano design keeps the counter clean
- Dishwasher-safe
- Easy to clean with a sponge or cloth
Cons
- No drip tray to collect the water or speed up the thawing process
- Tray may be a tad thin
"This kitchen tool is helpful during those days when I have to whip up a quick meal using the frozen meats in my freezer. It thaws them while I prepare the ingredients."
How To Choose The Right Defrosting Tray?
If you plan to add a defrosting tray to your kitchen arsenal, look for the features mentioned below.
- Defrosting time: Buy thawing plates that take less time to thaw frozen foods to help you save your time.
- Material: A good quality defrosting tray is made of a material that is a good conductor of heat and also durable. You may consider aluminum, and especially food-grade aluminum and anti-bacterial aluminum, as it is one of the best choices.
- Size: Consider the tray’s size to know how much food you can defrost at a time. Buy a standard size if you defrost a small quantity of food once or twice a week. If you regularly thaw large amounts, get a large defrosting tray.
- Ease of cleaning: Most of the trays are dishwasher-safe, and if they are not, you can rinse them easily under the water.
- Dripping tray: It works as an additional feature as it prevents fluids from spilling over the countertop of your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to use a defrosting tray to thaw meat?
As per the USDA, a defrosting tray is safe to thaw meat if appropriately used. However, it is unsafe to have frozen meat stay between the temperature brackets of 40°and 140°F for longer than two hours. You may not worry when thawing a standard piece of meat, but when dealing with thick steak or whole chicken, consider other alternative defrosting methods.
2. Can a defrosting tray double as a cutting board?
Using your defrosting tray as a cutting board may not be a good idea because they are made of relatively softer metals like aluminum or copper. They tend to get scratched or damaged when knives are used on them.
3. How long does it take food to defrost with the help of a defrost tray?
It usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes for frozen food items to defrost. However, the defrosting duration depends on the thickness and size of the food item.
4. Are defrosting trays dishwasher-safe?
Yes, most defrosting trays are dishwasher-safe. You can throw them in the top rack or wash them with soap and water.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Sakshi John writes on kitchen and home products and incorporates in-depth research to bring you the best products. In this article, she has listed and reviewed the best defrosting trays in the market that are effective, long-lasting, and sturdy. With detailed features and a buying guide, you can easily choose the right defrosting tray for your home. Sakshi also considers user reviews and testers’ experiences to ensure the products are made of high-quality, safe materials.
The Bottom Line
Thawing is part and parcel of cooking, and you need the best defrosting trays to bring the food back to the right temperature. These metal trays are designed to conduct heat well and make food prep quick and efficient. The options listed here are super-easy to use and constructed with durable materials to make the thawing process safe and convenient. We would recommend the Blazin’ Thaw Defrosting Tray, which features draining channels for neat thawing, the compact Cuisinart BBQ Defrosting Tray, which helps retain nutrients, and the That! Inventions Food Defrosting Tray with a tilting shape that gives it an edge over others. Consider the defrosting time, quality of materials, and ease of cleaning before opting for a suitable tray that fulfills all your cooking needs.
Infographic: How To Defrost And Thaw Meat Safely?
Defrosting meat is a crucial step in food preparation, ensuring safe and even cooking by allowing the meat to thaw completely and evenly before use. However, following precautionary measures while thawing is essential to prevent the meat from rotting and maintain hygiene. Check out the following infographic to learn how to defrost meat safely.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Guidelines on Thawing of Food
https://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/our-services/guidelines-on-thawing-of-food.pdf
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