A radio frequency (RF) heating and defrosting apparatus may include an electrode which, when supplied with RF signal energy, may responsively radiate electromagnetic energy into a cavity of the RF heating and defrosting apparatus. This radiated electromagnetic energy may cause a thermal increase of a load in the cavity. A capacitor may be formed from a portion of the electrode and a conductive plate disposed adjacent to the electrode. The conductive plate may be coupled to a ground reference structure. Dielectric material(s) having a low dielectric constant may be disposed directly between the electrode and the conductive plate.