Snowstorm turned into rain and froze your snow blower? This is a common occurrence when snow turns into a brown slush, resulting in water getting into the machine. If you experience more melted ice than snow, investing in the best snow blower for slush is undoubtedly a better idea.
Unlike a snowblower that can handle big and fluffy snow in dry and arid climate, you need a beast of a machine to deal with wet, sluggish snow that is hard to move. If you are scared to look at the weather forecast fearing that it might predict an incoming snowstorm with wet pile stuff, then stop fearing.
All you need is the right equipment capable of dealing with the wet snow, but it is easier said than finding that perfect machine. With so many snow blowers in the market, finding a suitable model that meets your requirements can become a risky guess-game.
Not anymore, because our team has done the homework to take the guesswork out of your purchase. We have reviewed and compared more than a dozen snow blowers for the slush to come up with a selected few that have the features and qualities we are looking for.
Quick Summary
If you are looking for robust power in an electric driver snowblower, we the Briggs & Stratton S1024 with 208cc Engine is a great choice. Furthermore, the engine is backed by a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty.
The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP, as the name suggests redefines speed and its 4-way chute control enables you to change the pitch and direction of snow effortlessly. It can also clear snow-clad walkways up to 30 inches wide.
The SNT2102 impresses with its Peak Power technology that brings together the power of two EGO POWER+ 56-volt batteries. The innovative design and unique cooling technology make it stand out of the crowd in terms of performance.
Snow Joe SJ625E is a versatile snowblower that offers quick snow/ slush pickups for medium-sized driveways and walkways. With a powerful 15-amp motor, the unit is capable of moving up to 800 lbs. of snow per minute.
Stylish and easy to ride, the Snow Joe SJ623E houses a 15-amp motor that can clear up to 720 lbs. of snow every minute. The 180-degree adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 25 ft, while the cleanout tool helps to remove the snow buildup.
Best Snow Blower For Slush: Things To Consider
When looking for a snowblower capable of handling slush, there are a few important points that you need to look into. Unless you pay attention to these points, you may end up with a model that can work well with dry snow but not perform satisfactorily in wet snow or melted ice.
Capacity
The engine determines the capacity of any appliance, so if the engine rating is higher then the overall capacity will also be higher. When dealing with slush, you will need a snow blower with the highest level of engine rating you can afford to get the desired results.
Convenience
Sometimes equipment may house a powerful engine of the highest rating but be hard to use. As a result, the ease of use for any machine is extremely important. Some important features you need to consider are a heated handle grip to protect your hands, good wheels for easy maneuverability, and power steering for better direction.
Adjustable chute
As you may need to blow a large amount of slush in case of a heavy snowstorm, the equipment should have an adjustable chute and defector. This enables you to choose different areas for distributing the extracted snow evenly instead of simply piling at one place.
Power steering
The power steering capability of a snow blower makes a job easy or difficult. Most of the high-end models, especially Snow Joe has power steering. As these devices are extremely heavy, sometimes as much as 300lb, the power steering comes in handy to ensure easy maneuverability.
Clearing path and height
You will want to choose a snowblower that comes with a suitable clearing path and height, based on your intended use. Consider how wide a path you wish to clear and what height of snow pile you may need to cut through. An average blower can clear between 12 and 18 inches of snow in a single pass.
Headlights
When buying a snowblower with all bells and whistles, don’t forget the headlights. You may have to pay a little extra for the feature but it comes in handy when you have to work in the evening or early hours of the morning.
When considering the bells and whistles the snowblower has, make sure headlights are top of the list. You might pay a little extra for this feature but you’ll need it especially if you prefer working in the early hours of the morning. Don’t let low light conditions stop you from your home maintenance tasks.
Single hand operation
If you want the job to be done quicker, look for features that make it easier to operate the machine. For example, single-hand operation lets you handle and control the unit with just one hand and frees the other hands to take care of other settings.
Warranty
When choosing the right equipment for the task, you would also want to ensure that there’s a good warranty on the product. Getting a product that is backed by manufacturer warranty secures the purchase and also ensures that the investment does not go waste in case of any unanticipated events.
Now, let’s go ahead with the reviews of some of the best snow blowers that are designed to work well in case of wet snow or slush. We have listed the things we like and don’t like to help you choose the right product.
#1. Briggs & Stratton S1024 Standard Series Dual-Stage Snow Blower
This is a powerful snow blower from the house of Briggs & Stratton, equipped with their robust 950 Snow Series 208cc engine that produces 9.5 foot-pounds of torque. It comes with a dual-stage thrower that clears a 24-inch wide path and has a 20-inch intake height for clearing any type of snow.
This model features a quick push button electric start that works efficiently even in the coldest weather and has the durability to handle wet and heavy snowfalls. The friction disc transmission works great for heavy and wet snow conditions, plus there are 5 forward and 2 reverse speeds for easy maneuverability.
What we like:
- Manufacturer backs product with a 3-year limited warranty on equipment and engine
- The freehand control allows you to drive the snow thrower with one hand
- Includes a steel frame, chute, and auger that can easily take on both snow and ice
What we don’t like:
- Customer service could be better
#2. Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP 357cc Electric Start Two-Stage Gas Snow Thrower
The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm with 30XP 357cc gas engine is specially designed to handle wet and tough snow, and electric start makes easy engine engagement. It comes equipped with serrated steel augers that are capable of clearing snowy pathways up to 30” wide in one pass.
The unit comes with a four-way adjustable chute that allows operator to select their desired discharge direction and prevent any blowback during usage. It also includes heated handgrips and polymer skid shoes that provide added comfort for the operator during usage.
What we like:
- A 4-way chute control lets you change the pitch and direction of snow
- Touch N Turn Power steering for better control
- Comes backed by a 5-year limited warranty
- Comes with thick tires to handle all types of winter conditions
What we don’t like:
- Slightly more expensive than other products in the market
#3. EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
This beast-like snowblower by EGO Power+ (see Amazon) brings you the power of two 56-volt batteries and a high-efficiency brushless motor. With a 35 feet snow throwing distance, the handle-mounted chute can be adjusted to re-direct the snow up to 180 degrees from side to side.
The machine starts without any hassles by a push button and offers a 21-inch clearing width in one pass. Powered by a patented 56V ARC Lithium battery technology, the unit features an innovative design and intelligent power management to give you an incredible performance.
What we like:
- Quiet operation, so you won’t disturb the neighbors any time you wish to clear the driveway
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver, with headlights to see in dark
- The EGO charger can fully charge with a dead battery in about 30 minutes
- Handle folds so you can easily put in SUV without anyone’s help
What we don’t like:
- Not as solid as a gas blower but does the job just fine
#4. Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
Developed as a response to the need for an easy-to-use machine to handle heavy and wet snow, the Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E (learn more) is a larger electric snow thrower for medium-sized walkways and driveways. Equipped with a powerful 15-amp motor, the Snow Joe Ultra is capable of moving 800 lbs of snow per minute.
As an electrically powered machine, without any gas or oil requirements, the Snow Joe SJ625E is easy to start and maintain. The durable steel auger with two rubber blades is capable of cutting a 21 inches wide path in one pass. With a 180 degree adjustable directional chute, the unit can throw snow up to a distance of 20 ft.
What we like:
- Comes with all-terrain wheels for easy-glide and maneuver
- Scraper blade located at the unit base scrapes the snow without damaging deck or pavement
- Provides the power of a gas machine with the convenience of an electric unit
- ETL-approved and it comes with a full two-year warranty
What we don’t like:
- The directional chute can only be manually operated with the help of a rotator
- There are some plastic pieces in critical areas
#5. Snow Joe SJ623E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
The Snow Joe SJ623E houses a 15-amp motor that is capable of moving up to 720 pounds of snow per minute. It comes with a blade rotor made of heavy-grade steel that can cut piles of snow 18-inch wide and 10-inch deep with every pass. The easy-glide wheels help the Snow Joe Ultra turn, move, and maneuver with ease.
The SJ623E delivers the quality performance of a gas machine with the ease of an electric-powered appliance that works at the push of a button. It requires no oil, no gas, and very little maintenance to keep your backyard and walkways slush free.
What we like:
- It does a good job at cleaning slush and wet snow
- Headlights are a bonus when you are using it at night or in the wee hours of a cloudy morning
- Installation is pretty easy and quick, with just 10 minutes needed to unpack and set up
What we don’t like:
- The machine is lighter than you expect making it hard to scrape off snow packed down by foot
Conclusion
As the winter season rolls in and the probability of snowstorms ring loud and clear, it’s time to find that perfect snow blower that will make the slush less miserable for you. Let’s not forget that melted ice, wet snow, and slush are not the same as dry fluffy snow, and hence need extra treatment. Don’t forget to check out the customer reviews before choosing the best snow blower for your needs.
See Also:
5 Best Snow Blower Gloves
4 Best Snow Shovel For Pavers
5 Best Snow Blowers For Steep Driveway
