What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Last weekend there was an ice storm and my family was out of town. In front of our front door a huge mound of ice has collected since and is very hard to move. Because underneath the ice is concrete and we can't use salt (it eats the concrete) we have tried hot water, cold water, a hair dryer and a small candle lighter. If anyone has an idea it would be greatly appreciated.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

no, but heres a site yu can go on to buy a chemical that does harm your concrete and wil melt ice fast and safely.

http://www.interstateproducts.com/safety...

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Flame-throwers work, we have one.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

beet juice

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Pray for global warming.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

One big azz magnifying glass?

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

A hair dryer? Are you serious? lol

And if the temperature is under 32 degrees, putting more water on it is only going to make matters worse.

There are alternatives to rock salt, such as this product: http://www.interstateproducts.com/icemel...

Go to the local hardware store and ask them.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Throw the ice into buckets of hot water. They will melt right away and you can pour the buckets out when your done.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

You may have to use salt anyway...just put it on there then once the ice starts melting and you have made some progress scrape the salt off (before it gets to the concrete). The other option is to use a pick or something...but that could also damage the concrete.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Propane week killer burner%26gt;

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Heat gun works for me.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Nuclear bomb.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Use Salt you will be surprised how fast it melts

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

I would say pouring boiling water on it, but then the runoff will freeze wherever it runs off to.

I think your best bet is to chip away at it with a hammer.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

petrol+fire

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

put a black tarp over the ice and pin it down.that will draw heat from the sun ,and melt the ice.

if that doesn't work,try hot cocoa.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

The amount of energy you're talking about is IMMENSE.

I've not done the calculation, but without a doubt the energy required to melt the ice of the ice storm dwarfs the energy of a hydrogen bomb.

So on your front yard is a big block of ice; learn to adapt to it, and make the proverbial lemonade. Alternatively, you might try to use some solar energy -- let the sun warm a black "metal foil" that you place on the ice block. Black to absorb the sun's rays best, "metal" so that the heat tranfer to the ice is good; and foil so that the metal can be molded to best make contact with the ice.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Believe it or not, table salt works and does not harm the concrete. Because I have dogs, I use this and it melts it fast. I don't know how much table salt you would need as you don't say how big the ice covers, but it is safe and easy to use on it. In the meantime take small steps and go slow over it to not lose your footing. The worst thing is to take a fall on frozen ice.

What is the fastest way to melt large amounts of ice in a short period of time?

Salt. Salt isn't an acid so it would not eat the concrete.