Snow blowers are man’s best friend in winter. They’re able to help you turn a snow-covered driveway back into an easy, driveable space in minutes, while a snow shovel will take hours.
However, trying to use a snow blower with a snow-clogged chute can make the job a lot harder than it needs to be, especially if you’re dealing with heavy, wet, or packed snow. It can be very frustrating trying to operate your new snow blower, only to have it clog up. Plus, it can be very dangerous trying to unclog your snowblower by hand.
Snowblowers can be an incredible tool for clearing a driveway in just a few minutes… but, like any powerful machinery comes proper care and maintenance. If snowblowers are man’s best friend in the winter, then a snowblower’s best friend is a non-stick spray.
Snow blower non-stick spray simply coats the chute and auger (similar to a can of vegetable oil spray), which allows the metal to be lubricated so the snow shoots through with ease – no clumping, sticking, or clogging.
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Top 2 Non-Stick Sprays For Snow Blowers
You may be wondering, well, why not just use some vegetable oil? We’ll cover that below. For now, just know that the best tool to lubricate a snowblower is a non-stick spray.
It’s a perfect shield against snow, dirt, and grass (and you won’t need to apply it every time you use your snow blower). You should only have to use it once or twice during winter. Here are the top 2 Non-Stick Sprays for snow blowers to buy
1. 10-Ounce DuPont Teflon Snow and Ice Repellent
DuPont Teflon Snow and Ice Repellent is one of the most popular non-stick sprays for snow blowers. With over 300+ reviews on Amazon, it’s one of the leading sprays to reduce clogging in snowblowers.
You can spray it on a variety of places on your snow blower:
- The discharge chute (along with the impeller, augers, and auger hood
- The chute rotating motor
- The chute deflector motor
- Underneath the electrical buttons (repels water)
Remember to let the spray dry for at least 30 minutes before operating the snow blower so it has time to stick on.
2. Gempler’s 1 Gallon Silicone Snow Blower Coating
Second, on our list is Gempler’s 1 Gallon Silicone Snow Blower Coating – another popular non-stick spray for snow blowers. It’s an efficient sidekick for your snowblower that reduces friction, allowing for efficient snow removal.
Gempler’s leaves a thin, colorless, slippery layer of silicone on the snow blower. It also makes the snow blower more durable as the silicone coat protects against corrosion and rust (and it won’t come off easily). With Gempler’s, you’re able to get between 500-1000 square feet per 1-gallon jug.
If you’re thinking you won’t need a gallon, don’t worry, Gempler’s is an all-in-one spray with a variety of uses. You can use it in the off-season for truck beds, gutters, shovels, and lawnmowers, and decks.
You can spray it, brush it, or swab it right onto the snow blower blades (and other exposed metal), and just wait 30 minutes and you’re good to go.
More Tips To Keep Your Snowblower From Clogging Up
1. Use An Off-Season Spray
Because snow blowers are a seasonal tool, they end up spending the majority of their lives in the garage or shed.
It’s important that you maintain your snow blower in the off-season so that it lasts for many years to come. One of the best ways you can keep your snow blower well protected and lubricated over the off-season is with the Fluid Film TPAS11 Rust & Corrosion Protection (3 Cans).
It’s a non-toxic, non-hazardous protective spray that is made of a wool-wax combination.
The original use for Fluid Film was for an old farmer’s trick to apply it to harvesting equipment because of its safety and durability. You can use the trick to keep your snowblower (and other similar machinery) protected while it’s stored away.
2. Unclog Your Snowblower With A Clean-Out Tool
Another option to help you de-clog your snowblower is with the assistance of a clean-out tool. Instead of using your hands (which can be very dangerous), use a plunger-like tool to push through any clumps of snow or dirt.
Many snow blowers include a clean-out tool attachment. However, if yours didn’t include one, you can purchase a clean-out tool like the Snow Joe Universal Snow Thrower Clean Out Tool.
3. Go Faster
This may seem like a contradictory tip, but, it actually works.
Your chute can clog up from going too slow. The faster you move, the easier it is for the auger to push snow through at a greater force, allowing it to move faster.
If you aren’t able to go faster, and you’re struggling to get snow through without clogging (after using a non-stick spray), you may want to consider purchasing a more powerful snow blower.
4. The Quick Fix – Vegetable Oil
If you’re in a rush and don’t have any time to pick up a non-stick spray (or use any of the above methods), then you could try using a household cooking spray like vegetable oil to get the snow unclogged.
You should really only consider this as a final option if you can’t get out of your driveway due to heavy snowfall.
Vegetable oil isn’t that effective. It will have to be re-applied several times per snowblower use, and it won’t stay on long-term like a regular non-stick spray. However, it may be the only feasible temporary option if you can’t make it to the store.
If you do use a vegetable spray, make sure to clean your snow blower after, as the vegetable spray can attract dirt and debris.
