How do you break down SALT after it has clumped?

[angie_nrs]

So I was going though my pantry and found some salt in the far back corner that was hard as a brick. Clearly it had sucked up some moisture over time and then turned hard. I'm trying to figure out how to get it back to it's original state. I have a Vitamix blender and tried breaking it down that way, but it's very slow going since I can't get that brick down to the blades very easily. Also, what I get is more of a flour-like texture and not the original table salt texture I was hoping to get back to.

I know I could just use it as a salt lick for critters or throw it into my water softner so it won't go to waste, but I would like to know if anyone else has solved this problem. Since the table salt only costs 33 cents, I'm not too concerned about the salt but am curious how to solve the problem moving forward. If that was my last ever package of salt......what would I do?

 

[zoomzoom]

Put it in a zip lock bag and hit it with a rubber mallet (or a real hammer which is what I do).

 

[SheepDog]

The easiest way to grind salt is in a real grinder. Most grinders are not made for hard crystals so you might be better off disolving it in boiling water and boil the water off while using a wisk to keep the crystals small. You can use an impact grinder if you have one but a hammer will work just as well if you can find a "bag" that will not cut open under impact. I use the boiling water method. It does take a little time but the result is a coarse ground salt that is easier to handle.

 

[zoomzoom]

Another bag/hammer routine. If your salt is already in a bag (as opposed to the cylinder shaped canisters), you can just pound or drop it lightly on a hard surface. Not so hard the bag breaks but enough where the impact loosens the salt. If you want a comfort factor, put the salt bag in a garbage bag before doing the dropping or pounding.

Another way I've done it but don't care for it as it can get labor intensive is to put your block of salt in a 5-gallon bucket with a lid then shake the crap out of it.

 

[angie_nrs]

Put it in a zip lock bag and hit it with a rubber mallet (or a real hammer which is what I do).

I had to use a carpet knife to pierce the package and then peel off the cardboard from around the salt. The round shape of it added to the difficulty in grinding it down. So I put the salt in a heavy plastic bag (like you mentioned) and then put a plastic lid (from the big ice cream containers) on each side as a buffer to protect the bag before putting it on cement to hammer it out. If anyone else does this, make sure you use lids or some other buffer you don't care about as the lids will take a severe beating. I was able to hammer it down to manageable enough pieces to put it through the Vitamix and grind it down. I have usable salt again, but I'll have to use it in recipes b/c it is a salt powder now and not like table salt crystals. It was certainly more work than what it was worth, but at least I broke it down to a usable form and I learned that it can be done. Next time I'll just use it for some other purpose and buy more salt to replace what clumped up.

 

[Dani]

Put in a baggie and take the rolling pin to it. Hit the big chunks to break up then roll the rolling pin over a few times.

 

[Terri9630]

Just break off a chunk as you need it and grind it to the size you want. I use a morter and pestle to do it. The powder you made, popcorn salt.

 

[WVDragonlady]

I have some of mine in a tupperware canister and even tho I "burp" the darn thing it still gets hard lol I just use the scoop I have in there to scrape it loose so I can fill the salt shakers. Its still fine.
I have the same problem with my sugar but do the same thing and just scrape it with the scoop in the canister.

 

[Weedygarden]

I had to use a carpet knife to pierce the package and then peel off the cardboard from around the salt. The round shape of it added to the difficulty in grinding it down. So I put the salt in a heavy plastic bag (like you mentioned) and then put a plastic lid (from the big ice cream containers) on each side as a buffer to protect the bag before putting it on cement to hammer it out. If anyone else does this, make sure you use lids or some other buffer you don't care about as the lids will take a severe beating. I was able to hammer it down to manageable enough pieces to put it through the Vitamix and grind it down. I have usable salt again, but I'll have to use it in recipes b/c it is a salt powder now and not like table salt crystals. It was certainly more work than what it was worth, but at least I broke it down to a usable form and I learned that it can be done. Next time I'll just use it for some other purpose and buy more salt to replace what clumped up.

I would use a terrycloth towel as a buffer, to wrap the plastic bag in before hitting it with the hammer.

I wonder if you purchase salt in the cylindrical cardboard containers? They would absorb moisture. Salt is very essential and important. I buy 25 pound bags at Costco for less than $5 and then keep it in 5 gallon buckets with a gamma seal lid.

I also keep some varieties, such as Himalayan pink salt in canning jars. I use the ring from the lid of the jar as a template, use a carton that milk comes in with a screw on lid , cut it out to fit in the ring, and it is better protected from moisture. I actually have used those carton lids for storing many things. It is so much easier to access and pour the dry goods.

 

[The Lazy L]

"How do you break down SALT after it has clumped?"

Drop it in the water softener salt tank.

 

[jimLE]

Put in a baggie and take the rolling pin to it. Hit the big chunks to break up then roll the rolling pin over a few times.

Thats what i do.depending on the size of the chunks,decides what size zip baggie i use...i beat on it,and then roll for a bit.then into the shifter to shift out whats graineler.then the chunks goes back into baggie.repeat beating and rolling

 

[tiffanysgallery]

Knock the salt container a few times on the counter, use what comes out the pour spout, throw the rest away, put salt on the grocery list.

Recently i learned to put salt water on weeds to kill them. Might try opening the salt container and tossing the clump on a weed... maybe smashing it down with your foot.

 

[Terri9630]

Salt is cheap but I couldn't throw it away. Such a waste. If I absolutely couldn't break it up I'd give it to the livestock.