- Recipes
- Breakfast Brunch
- Appetizers Snacks
- Lunch /Dinner
- Side Dishes
- Desserts
- Drinks
- Sauces & Stuff
- Collections
Learn & WatchOur content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.The Best Defrosting Tray of 2024
Last updated: 16 May 2024When it comes to thawing frozen meat, defrosting trays trump using a wave or running hot water over meat. Unlike these alternatives, defrosting trays get the job done without causing wastage or affecting the taste of your food. To get you started, we've compiled a list of the best defrosting trays of 2024. These products will make your prep work a breeze. After thorough testing, the Cuisinart Defrosting Tray is easily our favorite product on this list, but for those who want options, we've prepared several alternatives for you below. What are you waiting for? Get thawing!
Our Top Picks For Defrosting Trays
- Best Overall: Cuisinart Defrosting Tray Shop Now ➔
- Best Anti-Slip Mat: Holifly Defrosting Tray Shop Now ➔
- Best Leak Prevention: ThawMax Defrosting Tray Shop Now ➔
- Best Thickness: Blazin’ Thaw Store Defrosting Tray Shop Now ➔
- Best Microwavable Option: Nordic Ware Defrosting Tray Shop Now ➔
View all ContentsThe Best Defrosting Trays
Best Overall
Let frozen meats thaw on Cuisinart’s expertly curated defrosting tray. This large slab of food-grade aluminum preserves the taste of food as it quickly reaches room temperature. The tray is perfectly flattened with panels that dip in a ridge shape. Although not that deep, this prevents the water from flooding your countertop.
Regarding usability, you can leave the tray on the kitchen counter and place frozen edibles on it until they’re ready to be cooked. The materials complement the design without compromising the durability. Adding to the many reasons you might want this in your kitchen is a non-stick surface. Simply put, no matter how cold the meat is, it won’t latch onto the tray’s surface. This defrosting tray does not have any traces of synthetic polymers known for causing damage to human health. Its eco-friendly properties and quick thawing time make it the best defrosting tray on our list.
Pros
- Easy to clean and store
- Non-stick surface
- Eco-friendly, food-grade aluminum construction
Cons
- Not suitable for the dishwasher
Best Anti-Slip Mat
Made of aviation aluminum, this food-safe defrosting tray is a great option for quick thawing. As an excellent heat transmitter, the slab brings frozen foods to room temperature while saving unnecessary elbow grease. The top is coated with nonstick Teflon to ensure no fibers are stuck to the surface. Naturally, you can place practically anything on this tray; wait a bit and come back to edibles that look just as good as fresh.
Most importantly, no flavors are lost since you’re not heating anything in the microwave! Plus, the short time the food sits on the tray isn’t enough for bacteria to start messing with its nutritional integrity. The manufacturer claims that their product can cut down thawing time to half of the meat cuts are moderately thick. But Holifly doesn’t just stop there. To make food prep more convenient, four rubber tags on each edge prevent the mat from slipping or sliding on the countertop.
Pros
- No electric plugs needed
- Non-stick teflon coating
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Silicone feet can slip off
Best Leak Prevention
Regarding brand names, ThawMax doesn’t spare any effort in convincing the customer of their core specialty. Built to save your time and effort in the kitchen, this stylistic defrosting tray provides an effective way to bring your meats and vegetables back to cooking condition.
A flattened aluminum slab is bordered with contrasting silicone that prevents spills and leakage. Safe to say, even once the meat is done thawing, you won’t have to do much besides tossing the tray into the dishwasher. Buyers benefit from non-assisted defrosting that keeps nutrients and moisture perfectly intact.
Pros
- Silicone border prevents slipping
- Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
- Food-grade aluminum construction
Cons
- Not suitable for larger or thicker cuts of meat
Best Thickness
Blazin’ Thaw Store Defrosting Tray doesn’t just prove it’s the best; it puts others to shame. Right off the bat, this tray has double the power of any regular one on the market. It is 6mm thick with a series of carved draining channels that run deep and allow maximum water collection. Silicone edges also ensure that there’s no accidental leakage.
By keeping all thawing liquids properly enclosed inside a border, there’s virtually zero hassle. Rest assured, even though the product looks pretty heavy-duty, it is lightweight and easy to carry around. No electrical intervention is needed, all thanks to food-grade aluminum that transfers heat rapidly to break the ice without poisoning the food with harmful toxins.
Pros
- Deep draining channels for water collection
- Easy-grab handles
- Silicone edges prevent leakage
Cons
- Underside grooves retain water during washing
Best Microwavable Option
Not a fan of flattened mats that look like chopping boards? Try the Nordic Ware Defrosting Tray made just for you! This slanted thawing contraption is made of microwavable plastic, free of BPA and melamine.
This tray is meant for much more than thawing meats; it can heat food too! Thin cuts like bacon can be placed on the ridges and heated in the microwave. Since the food doesn’t completely come into contact with the surface, grease drips away, preventing your meat cuts from getting soggy.
Pros
- Microwave-friendly
- BPA- and melamine-free
- No splatters
Cons
- Not suitable for stovetops
Defrosting Tray: A Buyer’s Guide
A defrosting tray is essential even if you don’t cook every day. You need something that will last for a few years and keep doing its job without giving you any trouble. However, every seasoned cook knows that the world of kitchenware is riddled with scams. Some manufacturers simply sell metal slabs under the label of a thawing tray. The worst part is that it’s pretty easy to get the wrong product. So, keep your money safe and mind at peace with our friendly buying guide.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Defrosting Tray
Ridges
Paneled ridges on a defrosting tray allow the condensation to collect at the bottom. This feature is incredibly important to prevent cold water from staying on the surface, thereby reducing the time it takes for the meat to defrost. This paneled design is the most distinctive difference between defrosting trays and regular trays like cookie trays.
Silicone borders
Silicone borders make convenient handles and keep condensation from leaking through. The last thing you want is a mess on the floor, and rest assured, if there’s nothing enclosing the edges, that’s inevitable.
Material
Food-grade aluminum is undeniably one of the most common materials used to make defrosting trays. It’s safe for the environment evenly distributes heat, and doesn’t break easily. That said, you shouldn’t completely turn away from other options. For starters, BPA-free plastic thawing trays can be great as they’re microwaveable.
The Importance of Thickness in Desfrosting Trays
Take a wild guess — the answer is yes and no. In aluminum trays, deeper ridges combined with overall thickness promote faster thawing time. This is because aluminum is known for its heat transmission properties needed to bring frozen edibles to room temperature. However, when we ask the same question about plastic, the answer changes: it doesn’t quite matter! While there can be a slight reduction in defrosting time, it’ll be minute enough not to make a difference. In short, the thickness of your defrosting tray should depend entirely on the material of your defrosting tray.
Microwaving Frozen Food: A Big No
Microwave ovens are probably one of the most badly reputed inventions globally. People won’t stop using them, but they also won’t stop complaining! And the reason why thawing meat in the microwave isn’t recommended is closely related. When frozen, meat bacteria are dormant, which prevents them from multiplying. However, even half a minute inside the oven provides the perfect breeding ground. So unless you plan on cooking your meat as soon as it comes out of the oven, leave the microwave option be.
People Also Asked
How many steaks can my 14-inch-long defrost tray hold?
A 14-inch-long defrosting tray can hold up to two regular steaks. However, if the cuts are smaller than usual, the tray can fit up to four.
What is the best way to clean my defrosting tray with ridges?
We recommend washing defrosting trays in the sink as it allows you to get into those pesky crevices and remove detergent properly. For best results, use a brush with long bristles to clean the inside of the ridges and thoroughly rinse with water.
Is soaking frozen food in warm water better than using my defrosting tray?
No! Soaking in water may tamper with the flavor of your meat.
How long before cooking should I take the meat out of the freezer?
Place frozen meat on the defroster at least an hour before you expect to use it. While it may not take this long, it’s always better to be on the safe side.
Article Contributors
Read More About Cuisine Review Team HereThe Cuisine Review Team’s in-depth guides and product reviews are designed to help you pick the best products for a beautiful and professional-grade kitchen and dining room.
Cuisine at Home is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.
Please contact aimperiapt@gmail.com for all inquiries regarding articles or product testing.