The best way to thaw them is take a kabob skewer and put it up the back side and out the mouth. place them on the grill and baste with teriyaki.
After cooking place the rat on a bed of wild rice with some fresh steamed vegetables. And some pineapple to add some extra sweetness.
Another method i use is to place them under a ceramic heat light. Not close enough to burn though. Man that stinks.