This is calcium chloride pellet ice melt from Home and Country USA, packed in a resealable pail instead of a paper bag. The manufacturer describes it as fast acting and exceptionally effective even in extremely low temperatures, and it comes in five pail sizes from 8 lb to 40 lb. It suits homeowners who want a container by the door for steps and thresholds, and anyone with a driveway or sidewalk who wants the product to stay dry between storms.
The pail is the point. A bag left in the garage absorbs moisture and can turn into a brick by February; a sealed pail does not. This guide covers what the product is, how calcium chloride pellets work, where to use it, how to apply it well, and how to choose a pail size, using the Home and Country USA product details on our product page. Where a figure is not published, we say so and point you to the label.
Quick answer
- Calcium chloride pellets in a resealable pail, fast acting and exceptionally effective even in extremely low temperatures. No specific temperature figure is published.
- Five sizes: 8 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb and 40 lb.
- Spread thin, shovel first, apply before the storm where you can, and keep it off concrete under a year old.
- No spread rate is published on the product page, so follow the label directions for how much to use.
What Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt is
Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt is a calcium chloride pellet ice melter. Here are its headline traits as the product page describes them:
| Trait | What the product page says |
|---|---|
| High efficiency formula | Calcium chloride pellets for rapid and effective ice melting |
| Works in extreme cold | Exceptionally effective even in extremely low temperatures, where rock salt has stopped doing anything useful |
| How it melts | Exothermic: it releases heat as it dissolves and melts down through the ice, breaking the bond with the pavement from underneath |
| Pellet shape | Lets it drill down rather than sit on the surface |
| Surface safety | Formulated to be safe on a range of surfaces when applied as directed |
| Resealable pail | Keeps the product dry and free flowing between storms and between seasons |
Because calcium chloride releases heat as it dissolves, it does not wait for sunlight to do the work. That is the difference the product page draws with rock salt in real cold.
Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt specifications
| Specification | Per the product page |
|---|---|
| Product type | Calcium chloride pellet ice melter |
| Vendor | Home and Country USA |
| Chemistry | Calcium chloride |
| Working temperature | Exceptionally effective even in extremely low temperatures; no specific figure published |
| Form | Pellets |
| Action | Exothermic, releases heat as it dissolves |
| Packaging | Resealable pail |
| Sizes | 8 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb and 40 lb |
| Spread rate or coverage | Not published; follow the label directions |
Home and Country USA does not publish a data sheet for this product online. We can request the current safety data sheet from the manufacturer for you: call (856) 418-4895 or use our contact page.
Where to use it (and where not to)
The product page describes it as formulated to be safe on a range of surfaces when applied as directed. That wording matters: it is conditional on following the directions, and the page does not list specific surfaces. What it does say clearly:
- Keep it off new concrete. Concrete under a year old has not cured enough for any deicer.
- Do not over apply. More product does not melt faster; it just puts more chloride into your soil, which matters next to lawns and planting beds.
For pavers, natural stone or any surface you are unsure about, read the pail label before you spread, and call us at (856) 418-4895 if you want a second opinion. Our ice melt buying guide and our article on the best ice melt for sidewalks, driveways and hardscape compare the chemistries we carry.
The product page makes no pet claim. If dogs use your walks, read our guide to identifying ice melt for homes with dogs and check the label of whatever you choose.
How to use Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt
These are the product page's tips, in its order. The pail label is the final word.
- Spread thin. More product does not melt faster; it just costs more and puts more chloride into your soil.
- Apply before the storm where you can. Preventing the bond between ice and pavement is far easier than breaking it.
- Shovel first, then treat. Deicer is not a substitute for moving snow.
- Keep it off new concrete. Concrete under a year old has not cured enough for any deicer.
- Follow the label directions for how much to use, and reseal the pail after each use so the pellets stay dry and free flowing.
How much Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt you need
The product page does not publish a spread rate or a coverage figure per pail, so we will not guess one. Follow the label directions for the amount per area. What the page does give is a size guide based on how the pails get used:
| Pail size | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 8 lb | Steps, thresholds and a small front walk |
| 15 lb | A short walkway or a single entry |
| 20 lb | A standard walkway plus steps |
| 30 lb | A driveway apron or a longer walk |
| 40 lb | Full driveway and sidewalk for a storm |
Buying the size that matches how you actually use it beats buying more than you need and letting it cake up. Tell us the square footage you keep clear and how many storms you want to cover, and we will work the size out with you at (856) 418-4895. If you need a larger bag of calcium chloride, see Peladow Premier Calcium Chloride Pellets in a 50 lb bag or DOWFLAKE Xtra Calcium Chloride Flake, also a 50 lb bag, or browse the full ice melt collection.
Pails ship same day from our New Jersey warehouse on weekday orders placed before 2 PM Eastern. Local? Call (856) 418-4895 first and pick up at our Williamstown, NJ warehouse (1287 Glassboro Road). It is a warehouse, not a walk in store. Details are on our local pickup page.
Safety and storage
- Keep the lid sealed between uses. The resealable pail keeps the product dry and free flowing between storms and between seasons; a bag left in the garage absorbs moisture.
- Spread thin to limit the chloride that ends up in your soil.
- Keep it off concrete less than a year old.
- Follow the label directions. For the safety data sheet, call (856) 418-4895 and we will request it from the manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
How cold does this calcium chloride ice melt work?
The manufacturer describes it as exceptionally effective even in extremely low temperatures but does not publish a specific lowest working temperature. Follow the label directions.
What sizes does the pail come in?
Five sizes: 8 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb, 30 lb and 40 lb, all in a resealable pail.
How much should I spread?
The product page does not publish a spread rate, so follow the label directions. Its advice is to spread thin, because more product does not melt faster.
Is it safe on concrete?
It is described as formulated to be safe on a range of surfaces when applied as directed. Keep it off concrete under a year old, which has not cured enough for any deicer.
Why buy a pail instead of a bag?
A bag left in the garage absorbs moisture and can cake into a brick. The resealable pail keeps the pellets dry and free flowing between storms and seasons.
Get ahead of the next storm. Order Calcium Chloride Pellets Ice Melt in the pail size that fits your property, or browse more Home and Country USA products and our full ice melt collection. Call us 24/7 at (856) 418-4895 with sizing questions.