Frozen driveways and pavements can lead to dangerous accidents in the winter. How do I know, you ask? Unfortunately, I’ve been in one.
Last winter, when trying to shift the ice from the driveway, I fell and hurt myself. Though the pain wasn’t severe, it certainly could have been a serious issue. That’s when I decided to do a bit of research on the best ice melt for asphalt surfaces.
However, a few hours in, and my head was already reeling from all the options available. I found multiple choices during my research, and it was tough for me to settle on the best ones. But after some intense research, I finally figured it out.
Hello, folks! I’m Stacy Smith, and today I’m here to share my list of the best asphalt ice melts you can get. After going through my list, you won’t have any trouble deciding on the right product.
Let’s get going then.
Top 5 Product Reviews
1.Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Melt-2-Go Ice Melter
Here is a quick recap of what we liked and didn't like about the Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Melt-2-Go Ice Melter
Pros
Cons
- [ANTI-CORROSION FORMULA]: Melts to -10° and contains CMA (calcium magnesium acetate), an anti-corrosion agent that makes it safer for vegetation, concrete, and metals than pure rock or chloride-based salt.
- [LONG-LASTING]: Works on surfaces longer, so less product is needed.
- [SAFER TO HANDLE]: Will not dry out or irritate the skin, and can be safely and easily dispensed without requiring the use of protective clothing.
When it comes to deicing products, Snow Joe is a market leader, and the Melt-2-Go CMA blended ice melter promises to perform true to that tradition. Made from eco-friendly materials, this ice melt is suitable for asphalt as well as concrete surfaces. It’s also available in a variety of sizes, which means you can get just as much as you need to.
Why Buy This Product?
Deicers can often be corrosive and have harmful effects on the skin. However, when using this ice melt, you won’t have to worry about that. The product can be handled without any protective clothing and doesn’t irritate the skin when used correctly.
The reason behind this is the natural, environment-friendly CMA (calcium/magnesium acetate) blend that’s eco-friendly and doesn’t have any corrosive effects. It doesn’t leave any slimy residue behind and doesn’t harm the surroundings, such as trees and plants.
What’s more, the product is also pet-friendly, which means animals won’t be harmed by the chemical blend used in the melt. Regular chemical deicing blends can often cause irritation and skin rashes in pets, but with the natural formula of this product, you don’t have to worry about that.
I love how the product immediately gets to work when applied on ice or snow and quickly begins the thawing process. I’d suggest you pre-treat surfaces to ensure that ice doesn't get accumulated on your pavement or driveway.
And yes! I almost forgot to mention: since it is treated with a special anti-caking agent, Melt-2-Go has an extended shelf life. This means you can expect to use the product for a long time after opening a pack.
What Could’ve Been Better?
I must admit that I wish the packaging was a bit better. Even though the melt has anti-caking properties, the bag it comes in is not resealable. This makes storage difficult; I had to put the bag in a large, airtight tin can for safekeeping.
2. Natural Rapport Pet-Friendly Ice Melt
Here is a quick recap of what we liked and didn't like about the Natural Rapport Pet-Friendly Ice Melt
Pros
Cons
- SAFER FOR PETS - Made in the USA. Our proprietary, eco-friendly formula is 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.
- WORKS FAST AND LAST 3X LONGER - Our fast-acting, "time release" formula lasts longer and helps prevent re-icing on your driveway, sidewalk or patio. The jug has up to 25% more ice melt than our competitors, so our 10 pound jug will last even longer.
- SAFER FOR CONCRETE, METAL, AND WOOD - ProtectRx, our proprietary, organic technology, 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.
Made entirely in the USA, this is another pet-friendly ice melt from Natural Rapport. Available in two sizes (10 pounds and 18 pounds), this product uses a proprietary, all-natural formula that’s safe for animals as well as humans.
Why Buy This Product?
Since this product is made from eco-friendly, non-corrosive materials, it’s certainly the best ice melt for new concrete. It works fast and lasts long, which means you’ll not need to worry about the surface getting iced up after applying this stuff.
But what’s the secret behind such an effective yet non-corrosive formula? I did some more digging and found that the company uses proprietary ProtectRx technology that reduces corrosion rates by almost 75% compared to other deicers. This makes it highly suitable for cars, machinery, and even soft surfaces.
However, the thing that really takes the cake for me is that it’s not overly harmful to vegetation. The product is non-hygroscopic and has been prepared with biodegradable compounds that support the soil. This makes it much less harmful to plants than other chemically corrosive products in the market.
Finally, I’m pleased to tell you that this product comes in a handy jar with an easy-to-apply cap. Like the previous product, this one too comes in the form of colored crystals that don’t get clumped together. This gives the product extended shelf life and also makes the application simpler.
What Could’ve Been Better?
If you ask me, I’d say the price, which is relatively high for the quantity on offer. But considering that you don’t have to worry about additional storage with this product, I guess the cost is only reasonable.
- Pet Safe Ice Melt - 100% Magnesium Chloride formula won't burn or irritate pets' paws and comes in a round pellet form with no jagged crystals
- Works Immediately - Deicer instantly melts ice on driveways, sidewalks, steps, balconies, patios, walkways, roadways and more
- Effective at Low Temps - Works at temperatures down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit
We’re already halfway through the list, but there are still a few good products that I want to introduce you to. This time, I have for you the Harris Safe Melt, which is representative of a legacy that’s almost a century old. A quality product, it’s one of the better options that you can use to take care of errant ice and snow on the driveway.
Why Buy This Product?
PE Harris is one of the oldest ice melt manufacturers in America, and their products speak of the high quality. 100% pet safe, its magnesium chloride formula doesn’t cause irritation or rashes in pets. Plus, it’s available as round pellets and doesn’t pose any hazards, unlike the jagged crystals in other ice melts.
I was amazed at the fast action of this product. It got to work immediately after application and cleared my driveway in no time at all. It’s also perfect for clearing the snow from balconies, walkways, and sidewalks.
Regular ice melts use sodium and calcium chlorides, which can harm porous concrete. However, as this product’s formula is much less corrosive than traditional rock salt, it doesn’t damage concrete surfaces.
The magnesium chloride formula it uses is temperature neutral and can work at up to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. And you know what? The magnesium chloride that Safe Melt uses is sourced from the dead sea, so you’ve actually got an international quality product in this.
Finally, I must mention that it comes in a bucket with a tight lid for long-term storage. It even has a scoop included, which makes application that much easier. Overall, one of the better ice melts in the market.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The only problem that I faced with it is that the bucket lid is tough to unseal. It took my son several tries with a screwdriver before the cover could be prised off. I’d request the manufacturer to please include clear instructions regarding opening the bucket.
- MELTS SNOW & 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.
- FOR TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS - 40 DEGREES: Snow & ice melt pellets work 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 & more!
- SAFER 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.
In case you’re looking for something a bit stronger, and are ready to shell out more money as well, then I’ve got just the thing for you. These ice melt pellets from Green Gobbler are non-corrosive, exothermic, and go to work as soon as you complete application. It also has several other nifty features that I discuss in detail below.
Why Buy This Product?
Composed of calcium chloride, this product melts ice almost four times as fast as rock salt. It achieves this by creating an exothermic reaction that releases intense amounts of heat. As a result, you can melt the thickest of ice and snow layers with very little to no difficulty.
These pellets work even at extreme temperatures (as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit), which prevents refreezing. It also prevents cracking of surfaces due to repeated expansion and contraction on account of temperature changes.
Similar to the other products I mentioned, it is safe for plants and grasses, and will not harm your lawn in any way. I’ve used it several times around my garden, and it has worked well. Also, it’s safe for asphalt surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion.
I was also impressed with the product’s round-pellet design since this allows it to be used with rotary spreaders. This way, you can easily deice larger areas in a small amount of time, and with considerably little effort.
Above all, I’m pleased to say that it also comes with a 30-day return policy. This shows that the company is confident about its product and stands behind it through and through. So, if you’re dissatisfied with the product in any way, you can always get a refund, no questions asked.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The only complaint that I have against this product is that it’s somewhat overpriced. Comparable products can be bought in larger quantities and at lower rates. But still, considering the effect you can get from it, I guess it’s well worth shelling out a few dollars more.
- MELT MORE WITH LESS: Ice Slicer is naturally more concentrated than white salt. So, you can use less Ice Slicer than you might expect. One bag will treat up to 400 square feet. Overapplication may lead to a reddish residue being left on the concrete.
- SAFE FOR KIDS AND PETS: Ice Slicer is dye-free, urea-free, and polymer-free ice melt. It’s also so safe, it’s become a key ingredient in Redmond’s bestselling products for animals – products that promote optimal health in agricultural and wildlife management operations.
- SAFE FOR VEGETATION: Did you know that Nature's Blend is harvested from the same mineral deposit as our soil-nourishing supplements? When used in the right quantities, the minerals in Nature's Blend actually nourish soil and plant life.
True to its name, the Ice Slicer from Redmond does short work of any ice or snow. It has twice the speed of regular ice melt and helps to cut through thick snow fast. Apart from that, it has a range of nifty features that make it a must-buy.
Why Buy This Product?
I like how the granular texture provides stable traction even on slippery ground. At the same time, it contains over sixty minerals that allow it to brine faster and last longer. I also learned that independent lab tests confirmed it to be over three times as effective as white salt.
Since it is more concentrated than white salt, the Ice Slicer works great even when used in small amounts. Just a single bag of the stuff is enough to treat almost 400 square feet, which is saying something.
The product is free of harmful chemicals such as dyes and urea and doesn’t contain any polymer. This makes it perfectly safe for kids as well as pets. Plus, it also works to cover much greater areas than traditional rock salt.
Above all, it’s environment-friendly and helps to cut down alkaline and chloride impact considerably. All the above qualities considered together make it one of the most wanted ice melts in the market.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Be careful that you don’t use too much of this product; it’s highly concentrated, and using more than the required quantity can result in a reddish discoloration of the concrete surface.
Final Words
Choosing the right ice melt for safe use on asphalt can be challenging, but after you’ve gone through my recommendations, I’m confident that you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision.
That said, before taking my leave, I’d like to share a few of my favorites. In case you’re looking for a highly affordable option, I suggest going with the Snow Joe Melt-2-Go. If, however, you’re willing to shell out a bit extra, then Natural Rapport Pet-Friendly Ice Melt or Harris Safe melt can be a good choice.
Whatever product you choose to go with, keep your requirements in mind, and follow the application instructions that come with the product. And be sure that you’re careful during the application process. If you're looking for a general, guide on unclumping ice melt, check it out here!
That’s all for today, then. Till next time!