The word "cinder" may be unfamiliar to some, but it is not a foreign one. The term refers to small bits of rock that are the remnants of incomplete combustion, including coal and wood. In English, cinders have been called "cinder ash" for generations. They are also extrusive igneous rocks and fragments of solidified lava. They are brown, black, or red in color, depending on their chemical makeup.

The name "cinder" comes from its color and texture. A cinder cone can be black, dark gray, or a deep reddish brown. A typical cinder consists of about 2 to 64 mm in diameter. Larger cinders are called 'bombs' or "blocks". Their texture and composition can vary widely, depending on the age of the volcano and its location. Some cinders are molten, while others are solid.

While white road salt is used for decades, cinders are more efficient than white salt at melting ice. It's also easier to transport. The underlying problem with cinders is their cost. IDOT uses about 30,000 tons of them annually and distributes them throughout thirteen Southern Illinois counties. This makes the cost of delivering cinders to those 13 counties nearly twice as high as it would be with white salt. If you're in the market for a natural, chemical-free alternative to salt, cinders are an excellent choice.