Grit Bin Buying Guide: Which Size and Type Do You Need?
Introduction
A grit bin is one of those things that seems optional until the first hard frost — then suddenly it’s the most important piece of kit on your site. Slips and falls on ice are among the most common workplace accidents during winter, and most are preventable with the right amount of grit or rock salt applied at the right time.
This guide by Cocus covers every grit bin in our range — from compact mini bins for small car parks and entrances through to heavy-duty 400L units for large depots and industrial sites — along with advice on capacity, colour, whether to order pre-filled with salt, and which shovels to keep alongside.
1. 60L Mini Grit Bin — Small Premises & Entrances
The 60L Mini Grit Bin is the most compact option in the Cocus range — designed for small car parks, pedestrian entrances, patios, and residential driveways where a full-size bin would be out of proportion. Lockable lid keeps contents dry between uses. Available in yellow and green.
60L Mini Grit Bin
Available in yellow and green. Suitable for low-to-medium-traffic areas with a modest winter gritting requirement — a small office car park, a residential block entrance, or a pedestrian path. At 60L, this bin holds enough salt to treat approximately 250–300 square metres of surface per fill.
2. 30L Grit Bin with Salt — Compact Starter Kit
The 30L Grit Bin with Salt is the smallest bin in the range and comes pre-filled — making it the quickest way to get an emergency gritting solution in place with no separate salt order required. Designed for very small areas: a single step, a narrow path, or a residential property entrance.
30L Grit Bin with Salt
The most convenient option if you need to be ready for winter immediately and don’t want to source salt separately. Note: at 30L this bin will need refilling more frequently than larger options — if you’re treating more than a small entrance area, consider stepping up to the 60L or 115L stackable.
3. Stackable Grit Bin — The Most Versatile Choice (115L to 350L)
The Stackable Grit Bin is the most popular option in the Cocus range and covers the widest range of applications — from medium-sized car parks and school entrances through to large commercial premises and retail sites. As the name suggests, multiple units can be stacked for compact storage when not in use. Available in four capacities (115L, 170L, 200L, 350L), three colours (yellow, black, green), and with or without a salt fill.
Stackable Grit Bin
Available in 115L, 170L, 200L, and 350L, with or without pre-filled salt. The 115L is the correct starting point for most medium-traffic applications; step up to 170L or 200L if you’re treating a large car park or need to reduce the frequency of refills.
4. Ultra Heavy Duty Grit Bins — Large Commercial & Industrial Sites (200L & 400L)
The Ultra Heavy Duty Grit Bin is built for demanding environments — distribution depots, manufacturing sites, large supermarkets, councils, and any location where a standard stackable bin isn’t robust enough or large enough. Heavier-gauge construction, larger footprint, and available in 200L and 400L capacities. Available in yellow, black, and green, with or without pre-filled salt.
Ultra Heavy Duty Grit Bins
Available in 200L and 400L, with or without pre-filled salt. The 400L is the correct choice for large-footprint sites where frequency of refilling would otherwise be a problem — one 400L bin holds enough salt to treat approximately 1,600–2,000 square metres of surface per fill, depending on application rate and surface type.
5. Grit Shovels — Keep One in Every Bin
A grit bin without a shovel is a problem waiting to happen — people resort to using their hands, a piece of cardboard, or nothing at all. Keep a dedicated shovel with every bin so the right tool is always where it’s needed. Cocus stocks two options:
Grit Salt Hand Shovel
A compact, corrosion-proof hand shovel (48cm × 24cm) sized to fit inside any grit bin. Designed for fast, hygienic access to the contents without needing to lean into the bin. The right choice for smaller bins (30L to 115L) where a full-size shovel would be impractical.
2-Part Snow & Grit Shovel
A full-size polymer shovel in two detachable parts for compact storage inside a larger grit bin or vehicle. Suitable for high-volume gritting, snow clearing, and any application where you need to shift significant amounts of material quickly. The right choice for larger bins (170L to 400L) and high-traffic sites where speed of application matters.
6. How to Choose the Right Grit Bin
The key variables are capacity, location, and whether you want salt pre-filled.
Capacity: how big a bin do you need?
A rough rule of thumb: for every 500 square metres of surface you need to treat in a single application, you need approximately 125L of grit bin capacity. For a small office car park (10–20 spaces), a 115L stackable is usually sufficient. For a medium distribution yard or large retail car park, consider 200L to 350L. For a large depot or multiple treatment zones from one bin, go to 400L ultra heavy duty.
Location: which colour?
Yellow is the most visible and is widely used for standard Health & Safety visibility on commercial sites. Black or green may be more appropriate where aesthetics matter — the entrance to a hotel, a residential development, or a heritage building — and the site manager prefers a less industrial appearance. The grit bin’s performance is identical regardless of colour.
Pre-filled with salt or empty?
Ordering with salt pre-filled eliminates the step of sourcing, transporting, and filling the bin yourself. It’s the most convenient option if you’re setting up for winter quickly, or if you don’t have a convenient way to buy and move large bags of rock salt. If you already have a bulk salt supplier, order the bin empty and fill it yourself at a lower per-litre cost.
7. Grit Bin Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much rock salt do I need per application?
The standard application rate for rock salt de-icing is approximately 15–20g per square metre on roads and car parks. For a 500 square metre car park, that’s 7.5–10kg per treatment. In practice, most sites apply more liberally, particularly at the start of a frost event. A 115L bin holds approximately 75–80kg of rock salt — enough for around 10 full treatments of a 500 square metre surface.
Q2: When should I grit?
Grit before a frost forms, not after ice has already developed. Apply in the evening before a forecast frost, or at dawn before foot and vehicle traffic begins. Rock salt works by lowering the freezing point of moisture on the surface — it’s far more effective as a preventive measure than as a de-icer applied to already-frozen ground.
Q3: Do grit bins need planning permission?
In most cases, no — a grit bin placed on private commercial land does not require planning permission. If your premises are in a conservation area, listed building setting, or subject to other planning conditions, check with your local authority before installing any permanent-looking street furniture. Freestanding grit bins on private land are generally not subject to planning control.
Q4: Can I use grit bins for sand as well as salt?
Yes — grit bins can be used to store sand, grit, or rock salt, and many sites use a mix of sand and salt for ice treatment. Sand provides grip without melting ice, making it useful on surfaces sensitive to salt (such as concrete, certain block paving, or around vegetation). Rock salt melts ice more effectively but has no grip benefit once dissolved. The bin itself is suitable for any free-flowing granular material.
Q5: How often should I refill my grit bin?
Check your grit bin after every frost event and refill when it falls below one-third full. Don’t let it run empty during a cold period — having to source emergency salt at short notice is costly and time-consuming. Most commercial sites top up their bins at the start of October to be ready for the first frosts, then refill as needed through to March.
Q6: Can I order grit bins in bulk for a multi-site operation?
Yes — we supply councils, facilities management companies, and multi-site commercial operators with bulk grit bin orders. Contact us at info@cocus.co.uk for volume pricing, lead times, and delivery logistics for multiple sites.
Conclusion
The right grit bin is one that’s big enough for your site, positioned where it will actually get used, and stocked with the right amount of salt before the first frost arrives. For most commercial premises, the Stackable Grit Bin range — 115L to 350L — covers the majority of applications; step up to the Ultra Heavy Duty range for demanding industrial environments.
Browse our full range of stackable grit bins, ultra heavy duty grit bins, and mini grit bins at Cocus. Don’t forget to add a hand shovel or 2-part grit shovel to every order.