What Is The UK’s Best Defrosting Tray?
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best defrosting trays.
I’ve compared size, thawing time, design and cost
to give you my top recommendations.
Defrosting Tray Reviews
Defrosting Tray Buyer’s Guide
Waiting for your food to defrost naturally can take hours, which can lead to some very last minute dinners if you don’t remember to take the chicken out of the freezer before you head off to work! While defrosting it in the microwave might seem a better option, heating it for too long can cause bacteria to multiply rapidly.
A defrosting tray offers a quick and easy way to defrost your meat and other frozen food without putting your health at risk. There’s a range on the market to choose from, and they all work in a similar way.
Not sure what to look for when it comes to the best defrosting tray? Take a look at this buyer’s guide.
Size
The size of the defrosting tray can vary between brands. Those capable of defrosting a few cuts of meat at once are best for families and usually measure around 30 x 20cm or larger. Smaller defrosting trays are great for couples and small families, often defrosting a couple of steaks or chicken breasts at once.
Almost all defrosting trays have a low profile, usually just a couple of centimetres tall. This means they can be stored in kitchen drawers when not in use.
Thawing Time
While defrosting trays are slower than the microwave, they are far quicker than leaving your food to defrost naturally.
Defrosting trays can usually thaw your food in 30-60 minutes, although this will depend on the thickness and size of the cut of meat you’re defrosting. The defrost time is usually between 5 and 10 times faster than allowing your food to thaw naturally.
Design
Most defrosting trays work in a similar way, allowing air to move around the food for rapid thawing. Some have a tray underneath which can be filled with warm water. While these are just as safe and healthy, they are a little fiddlier to use.
Most thawing trays have grooves that hold the defrosted liquid, this’ll keep your worktop clean and ensure the tray is easier to clean after use. Some come with a drip tray underneath for catching the liquid.
Defrosting Tray FAQ
How does a defrosting tray work?
Defrosting trays are made from highly conductive material, usually either copper or aluminium. Heat moves rapidly through the tray, causing it to both heat and cool quickly. When the tray is placed on your kitchen worktop, it quickly reaches room temperature.
The tray then conducts the room temperature air onto the frozen food, making the meat warmer and allowing it to defrost faster.