You can handle the snow in your yard and walkways in many ways, by using snow blowers, snow shovels, and snowplows. But these are not efficient for handling ice.
You should keep your yard, walkways, and driveways free of ice to prevent slip-and-fall mishaps. In many cities, the residents have to keep the public walkways in front of their houses safe and free of ice to prevent unexpected slipping accidents.
If you reside anywhere it snows and can turn into ice, you must have some ice melt on hand. With effective research and after exploring a multitude of options, we’ve filtered out the 5 best ice melters that can perfectly melt ice from any surface.
5 Best Ice Melters to Keep the Surfaces Safe & Ice-free
The list contains 5 options, and each one is best for some particular reason. Check it out, and choose the most suitable one.
1. Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Melt-2-Go Nature & Pet Friendly CMA Blended Ice Melter
Anti-corrosion formula: Enhanced with CMA (calcium magnesium acetate), an environmentally benign deicing agent, EB Ice Melt delivers fast and effective results without damaging surfaces such as concrete or metals.
Pet-friendly: Formulated from nature’s own ingredients, EB Ice Melt provides a greener solution to deicing that is safer for pets. Unlikely to irritate paws or cause rashes.
Environmentally safe: Leaves no slimy residue behind, making it safe to use on grass, turf, around trees, and other vegetation. Protects surrounding hardscapes and softscapes when used as directed.
Fast-acting in freezing temperatures: Goes to work immediately upon contact with snow and ice to accelerate the deicing and melting process. Pre-treating surfaces will also prevent ice and snow from accumulating.
Safe to handle: When used as directed, EB Ice Melt will not dry out or irritate the skin and can be safely and easily dispensed without requiring the use of protective clothing. MELT EB is specially treated with an anti-caking agent to extend shelf-life and improve dispersion.
2. Green Gobbler Magnesium Chloride Pet & Plant Safe Ice Melter (35lb)
Performs rapid action in frigid temperatures (as low as -10°F): The ice melter will generate exothermic heat over a short period of time. In a test, the product melted twice as much ice as rock salt at 21°F!
Magnesium chloride formula: Magnesium chloride ice melt has a notoriously low toxicity level making it less toxic than calcium, potassium, or sodium chloride.
Safer for pets and the environment: The product is highly unlikely to burn or irritate the skin or pets’ paws. This also won’t harm plants or cause spalling on driveways and concrete that’s been properly set and cured.
Perfect for spreaders: Owing to its small, round pellet shape, the Green Gobbler ice melter can be used in various ice melt spreaders.
3. Natural Rapport Pet Friendly Ice Melt (18 lb)
Safe to use: Made in the USA with the proprietary, and eco-friendly formula that makes it safer for your pets, children, and carpet and tile when little feet or paws track some in the house. The safe deicing formula is easier on a pet paw and works better on ice.
Can be used on concrete, metal, and wood: Thanks to the ProtectRx, proprietary, and organic technology, it reduces corrosion rates by up to 75% compared to regular ice melters and rock salt. It is safer for your vehicles, equipment, and other surfaces.
Works fast and lasts 3 times longer: The fast-acting, “time-release” formula makes sure quick action to prevent re-icing on your driveway, sidewalk, or patio. It will last even longer.
Can be safely used on the lawns and grasses: Safer for trees and other vegetation. Since the non-hygroscopic ice melt is environmentally formulated with biodegradable soil supporting compounds, making it is less harmful to plant life compared to others.
Easy to use: The easy-to-apply cap allows you to use the perfect amount every time. Plus, the green-colored crystals won’t clump and help you see exactly how much you have applied. So it is simple and effective and saves you time and money.
4. Green Gobbler 96% Pure Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Melt Pellets
Melts snow and ice 4X faster: Calcium Chloride works 4X faster than rock salt by generating exothermic heat that instantly melts even the thickest snow & ice with maximum safety and little effort.
Works at low temperatures like ( – 40 degrees): This snow & ice melt pellet works in temperatures as low as – 40 degrees Fahrenheit, lowering the re-freezing temperature and preventing cracks & potholes in parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, walkways, porches, patios, and so on.
Safe for plants & pavement: Green Gobbler’s Calcium Chloride Ice Melt is safer for plants & pavement and less likely to harm grasses, bushes, trees, or decorative landscapes than rock salt when used as directed.
Perfect with Spreader Equipment: Thanks to its round pellet design, this product is perfect to use with rotary spreaders and is ideal for covering larger areas and spreading the ice pellets even faster and with less effort.
5. Snow Joe AZ-25-CC Melt-2-Go Resealable Bag Premium Calcium Chloride Crystal Ice Melter
Fast Performance: MELT calcium chloride crystals are specially formulated with super-enhanced melting properties to deliver fast and reliable results.
Generate Instant Heat: MELT calcium chloride crystals generate heat instantly upon contact with snow and ice, thereby accelerating the melting process.
Works at -25°: This can effectively melt ice and snow on contact, even at temperatures as low as -25°F.
Non-tracking: When used as directed, MELT calcium chloride crystals will not track from your shoes onto your home’s floors or carpets.
Long-lasting: Specially formulated to last up to 24 hours. And MELT calcium chloride crystals go to work immediately upon contact with snow and ice and continue working all day long to ensure your surfaces are safer and ice-free.
Types of ice melts (According to the materials) & Which type is the best?
The best type depends on some factors such as whether you have pets or not, the temperature in your area, and so on. However, choose one that fits your need most. Here are the types of ice melts below.
Calcium chloride (CaCl2):
Calcium chloride is a popular and effective option that even works quickly in temperatures as low as -40° Fahrenheit. But there is a problem! If you use it excessively, it may damage plants and grasses.
Magnesium chloride:
This type is considered environmentally friendly and safer for pets. It perfectly works at -13° Fahrenheit. But the drawback is that it may damage your concrete-made patio, driveway, or walkway.
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA):
The CMA is comparatively less corrosive than salts with chloride. However, it’s not so effective in very cold temperatures. In fact, it works only in temperatures of 20° Fahrenheit and above.
Rock salt:
Although rock salt is inexpensive, it’s yet effective. But has some disadvantages such as it may damage the surface, and is not safe for pets. It also doesn’t work in low temps.
Potassium chloride:
The positive thing is that it is safer for pets. But it may cause harm to plants and grass. And it works only in temperatures 25 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
Urea/carbonyl diamide:
Perhaps, this type is the safest option for pets and the environment. It but it’s not so very effective when used for de-icing. It’s perfect for ice melting only.
Calcium chloride is the best salt overall according to our research., though it’s a good idea to
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are some of the common questions that you may have. Let’s see the answer below.
What are the different forms of ice melt according to usage?
Granules (salt): These types are thick salt crystals. They offer great traction and turn to dust for easy spring cleaning.
Liquids: This type can perform in the fastest way, and usually works with a spray applicator. Moreover, it offers options like concrete- and pet-safe formulas.
Pellets: This option can penetrate ice more easily than granules but are also likely to roll downhill or drift to the edges of walkways and driveways. Because they are more condensed and larger than granules. They are even amazingly effective, but the con is they tend to move.
How should you use snow and ice melt?
Spray your ice or melt snow in a thin layer over the concrete. If you want to cover an area larger than a standard sidewalk or driveway, you may use a wheeled spreader, or you can do it manually by putting in the extra effort.
It’s better to use it before a storm and prevent ice formation altogether to get the best results. But if your surface has snow already, then clean it up first by using a snowplow or a shovel.
Can ice melt ruin your driveway?
The excessive use of salt in your driveway can inevitably cause damage, but one way to reduce this is to prevent melting ice, which contains rock salt and/or calcium chloride, which can cause concrete to flake.
Is ice melt safe for pets?
Ice melt can damage animals’ paws, so if you have a pet (or someone whose pet might enter the vicinity), it’s best to use a calcium-chloride-free pet-safe option like Play Safe Ice Blocker, which we recommend.
The snow and ice melter may damage animal paws. So if you have a pet (or someone whose pet might get close) it is an obvious thing to use a calcium chloride-free option, which is safe for pets. Then the Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Melt-2-Go Nature & Pet-Friendly CMA Blended Ice Melter is the option that we recommend.
I appreciate that you mentioned the importance of considering the function of the ice melter when planning to buy. My aunt told me that she is looking for an ice melt product that she can use for her garden, and she asked if I have any idea what is the best option to consider. Thanks to this helpful article, I’ll be sure to tell her that it will be much better if she consults a trusted ice melt distributor company as they can answer all her inquiries.