Thawing plates — also known as defrosting plates — are made of a material with high thermal conductivity (like aluminum or copper). Heat can move very rapidly through this material, defrosting your meat in no time. Below, we’ll look at a few key factors to consider to help you choose the perfect thawing plate for your kitchen. The ideal defrosting experience requires all of the following boxes to be checked, so read this buying guide all the way through to make an informed purchase decision.
The Key Features of a Thawing Plate
Fast defrosting time
Once you take your frozen meat out of the refrigerator it will naturally start to defrost, even at room temperature. A thawing plate accelerates that process, which means its primary purpose is to defrost your frozen food faster. So, the first factor to consider is how quickly the plate can defrost your meat so you can cook it. While most manufacturers claim a defrosting time of 30 to 60 minutes, just a quick glance at the customer reviews will tell you that even a two-hour defrost time is pretty decent. That’s because those advertised figures are taken in idealistic scenarios, which just aren’t realistic in day-to-day life. Keeping that in mind, always read what buyers have to say about the product you’re looking at and see if they report a defrosting time of two hours or below.
Durability
Let’s be honest, no one likes spending money on the same thing again and again, which is where durability comes into play. A thawing plate shouldn’t break easily, especially since it’s supposed to withstand freezing cold temperatures from rock-solid pieces of meat. Look for materials like aerospace alloy with silver ions and high-density aluminum.
Water drip tray
High-quality thawing plates, especially ones that come from a large brand, include a drip tray in the package. This is a super thoughtful accessory that reduces clean-up time and saves you a lot of trouble with handwashing. Instead of wiping your entire countertop clean, you just need to wash the drip tray with some water and soap, which takes no longer than two minutes.
Thickness
Remember to consider how thick the sheet is as that not only plays a role in its durability but also its conductivity potential. Plus, the thicker the tray is, the lesser the chance it has to have or develop bends.
Size
Size certainly matters when it comes to thawing plates. If you generally cook for a relatively large family, you’ll have to thaw out a higher number of larger pieces of meat so a smaller tray won’t quite cut it. Remember to be precise about your size requirements depending upon factors like how many people you generally prepare food for.
