Clean Crush vs Minus: What’s the Difference?
Have you ever heard someone refer to a type of gravel as clean crushed or minus and wondered what that meant? Well, let’s break it down together:
Based on the references photos below, you can probably already see the difference. The clean crushed rock is mainly larger crushed rocks and doesn’t include “fines.”
“Fines” are a by-product of the rock crushing process. When gravel is run through a sieve to remove the fines, it is considered a “clean crush.”
For a more detailed explanation, take a look at the following video provided by Washington Rock Quarries Inc:
Now that we’ve covered the visible differences between clean crushed and minus gravel, let’s take a look at the differences in their applications:
Clean Crush
- Good for drainage
- Typically more decorative
- Doesn’t compact as well
- Recommended: Use a layer of decorative clean crushed rock to cover a compacted minus base.
Minus
- Will absorb water, doesn’t drain as well
- Less decorative, more for function
- Compacts very well
- Recommend: Use 5/8 minus as paver base for best results. It will compact create a stronger base than a clean crush.
When the time comes to choose gravel for your next project, consider these differences before making your decision. A clean crushed rock is far better suited for some applications, but others may require a minus. It’s hard to change your mind once the gravel is laid, so we recommend referring to this page as much as you need! Also, see our Crushed Decorative Gravel and Base Gravel options.