Who didn’t love snow days as a kid?
Good tidings of Christmas were upon us, and holidays were right around the corner! Yes, winters were indeed my favorite season of the year.
That is until I grew up and found out that snow and ice put a stop to my lawn and crop growth. Moreover, slipping on an icy walkway can easily lead to serious injury. And, at my age, tripping and falling are far from funny cartoon-like humor.
Ironically, the namesake of the latest de-icer that I have been using is a popular kids cartoon – the Road Runner. Hi! My name is Stacy, and I’m here to tell you all about the Road Runner Ice Melt, and why you should consider getting it too.
What Is Road Runner Ice Melt?
The Road Runner Ice Melt is a blended standard-grade de-icer formulated to melt snow, ice, and frost. Now, shoveling and using a snow-blower has helped me get rid of snow to a certain degree, but this product is the only practical solution I have found for ice.
While some put the product on their driveways and walkways, others mix it with fertilizer and spread it around the lawn. And indeed, the ice melts right off in no time – which is great, considering how the sooner it melts, the fewer chances there are of slips and falls.
How Does Road Runner Ice Melt work?
This ice melt has been formulated with a mix of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and magnesium chloride pellets. The premium-quality pellets work together to instantly melt ice; calcium chloride, in particular, is known for being one of the most effective melting agents in the industry.
As for sodium chloride or “rock salt”, it is possibly the oldest-known ice melting agent, and definitely the most common. On the other hand, magnesium chloride is a safer and more environment-friendly alternative that is well-suited to be used around pets and plant life.
Product Features
1. Fast Results
The overall blend of sodium chloride, magnesium chloride pellets, and calcium chloride pellets accelerates the melting speed. However, sodium chloride is a compound that gets diluted and stops working within a few minutes. On the other hand, the premium pellets allow ice to melt for extended periods, and at lower temperatures.
2. Low Melting Temperature
The Road Runner Ice Melt works well in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is interesting to note that rock salt, one of the main ingredients in the formula, is known to be ineffective in melting ice beyond 20 degrees Fahrenheit. On the contrary, calcium chloride is known to melt it down in temperatures that go as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Low Cost
Considering how calcium chloride, magnesium and sodium chloride pellets are expensive, it comes as a surprise that the Road Runner Ice Melt is so reasonably priced.
Nevertheless, it can be applied using a simple spreader; there’s no need to form even layers for the formula to work. What’s more, a 50-pound bag of this product can provide enough coverage for entire walkways and lawns.
4. Environment-Friendly
It’s colorless and odorless – which are telling signs that the product is not doused with harmful chemicals and artificial scents. Moreover, the formula contains traces of magnesium chloride pellets, which are safe to apply over vegetation.
However, this compound may harm concrete if used over long periods. Nevertheless, buyers can combine the formula with fertilizers and spread it over walkways, like they would with lawns. Perhaps, such preventive measures may help keep spotty residues at bay.
FAQs
This ice melt from Scottwood Industries is available in various sizes, ranging from 10 to 50 lbs. bags. You can also opt for a 12lb jug or 50lb pail.
The ingredients in this product have been deemed safe for use on all kinds of vegetation. As an added tip, you can combine it with a fertilizer of your choice before applying it on the lawn or garden grass.
Since the Road Runner ice melt is not specifically marked as pet-friendly, you may have to look for another option if you plan to use the ice melt around pets.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
- Made of ingredients, such as magnesium chloride, that have low toxicity levels
- Pet-safe option, and does not cause harm to plants
- The pellets in the product are compatible with spreaders
2. Cargill Salt 12604
- Varied crystal sizes extend melting
- High melt capacity
- Helps provide traction
- It is made up of rock salt, or sodium chloride, which has instant melting properties
- The safe ingredients make it suitable for use in ice cream machines
- Since sodium chloride is inexpensive, the product is easy on the wallet
3. HARRIS Ice And Snow Melter
- 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
- The magnesium chloride-based formula is safe for pets and plants
- Effective in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit
- The ingredients are non-corrosive and suitable for concrete surfaces
Conclusion
And with that, I have reached the end of my Road Runner Ice Melt review.
Who doesn’t love a winter wonderland – but glassy ice sheets during the cold months lead to unwanted slippery roads for cars, people, and even pets!
With that being said, I’ve had my eye on the Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt and the HARRIS Ice And Snow Melter for some time now. After all, I want my pet dogs to be safe from frozen paws and unwanted reactions to chemicals too.
Unfortunately, none of these options come close to the Road Runner Ice Melt in terms of melting properties, which is why this product remains my top pick.