How to Make Rock Salt

Rock salt is a coarse-grained unrefined salt that usually contains inedible impurities. Rock salt is used in cold climates on sidewalks and driveways to melt ice. You can also use rock salt to melt the ice surrounding the can holding the ice cream when making ice cream. You can make rock salt by following these easy steps.

Things You'll Need

• A large pot
• Water
• A stove
• Salt
• Some newspapers
• A hammer

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot about half way full of water and place on the stove burner.

2. Turn the stove burner on to a medium heat and heat the water. While the water is heating up, stir in as much salt as you can.

3. Continue adding salt to the hot water until the water reaches a boiling stage. Once the boiling water reaches the stage where you cannot add more salt, remove the mixture from the stove burner.

4. Let the salt mixture cool at its own pace. As the mixture cools and the water evaporates, the salt will form crystals.

5. Cover a table with newspapers and place the cold rock crystals on the newspaper. Use a hammer and crush the salt crystals into small pieces. You now have rock salt.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rock salt when making homemade ice cream. Use it to melt the ice that surrounds the can or container that holds the homemade ice cream.

• Do not eat rock salt. It is not for human consumption.

• Be very careful handling the large pot with boiling water. Spilling the water can cause serious burns.