The short answer about defrosting trays or defrosting plates is that Yes they work. The main reason for their design is to expedite the thawing process for frozen food, and they generally work effectively. They can significantly reduce the time it takes to thaw compared to leaving food out on a countertop at room temperature.

If you are like me and were tired of the nightly struggle to get dinner on the table quickly, Then this is why I decided to explore a defrosting tray. My real question was do they work and how long does it take?

I was sick of getting home from a long day at work, the kids are hungry, and forgot to take anything out of the freezer to thaw. Your options? Either wait for what feels like an eternity for your food to defrost naturally or resort to the old standby of using warm water, which can be messy and, frankly, not the safest option.

Enter the the defrosting tray or thawing plates, And let me tell you, they work like a charm.

So, how do they work? Defrosting trays, typically made of materials like aluminum, leverage the power of thermal conduction. When you place frozen food on the tray, the metal quickly absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, such as the room temperature, and transfers it to the frozen food. This rapid heat transfer means your dinner thaws in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.

But do they really work? Absolutely. On average, defrosting trays can thaw frozen food in about half the time it would take using other methods. That means no more waiting around for hours for your chicken breasts to defrost – dinner can be on the table in no time.

I did look at different trays on amazon and various websites and the best one I found was a defrosting tray called defreezi as it was not painted, I found it at klevarange, it had a draining angle and it has the grooves underneath which seem to make it better at making it faster. Now the best part was you can defrost a variety of foods on a defrosting tray, from meats like chicken, beef, and pork to seafood, vegetables, and even baked goods like bread. Just remember to follow food safety guidelines and ensure that your food is properly cooked after thawing.

Safety is always a concern for me when it comes to kitchen gadgets, but defrosting trays are generally safe to use. Aluminum defrosting trays, in particular, are non-toxic and do not release harmful chemicals when in contact with food. Just be sure to clean the tray thoroughly before each use to avoid any contaminants.

One of the biggest ways defrosting trays have saved me money is by eliminating the temptation to order takeaway. With dinner ready to go in a fraction of the time, there's no need to rely on expensive restaurant meals or takeout. Plus, with the ability to defrost a variety of foods, I can easily plan meals in advance and avoid last-minute grocery trips or impulse purchases.