Helpful Boost or Risky Shortcut?

Do grease trap additives really help your system—or are they a ticking time bomb in disguise?
If you’re a restaurant owner or manage a commercial kitchen, you’ve probably heard of grease trap additives like enzymes, bacteria, and chemical cleaners. These products claim to reduce buildup, eliminate odors, and even prevent the need for frequent pumping.

At first glance, these additives sound like a kitchen miracle. But here’s the catch: they’re not always what they seem.

Some additives offer limited support when used responsibly. Others can damage your plumbing, harm wastewater treatment systems, and leave you with costly consequences. So how can you tell the difference?

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about grease trap additives. You’ll learn how they work, when they help, when they hurt, and what you should be doing instead to protect your system and stay compliant.

The Struggle Is Real: Kitchen Grease and Operational Pressure

Running a kitchen is nonstop. Whether it’s prepping for a lunch rush or cleaning down after a long shift, your team already has enough to manage.
The last thing you want is:

• Grease odors seeping into your dining area

• Drain backups bringing your kitchen to a standstill

• Health inspectors catching grease buildup violations

• Surprise costs from emergency service calls

It’s understandable why additives are tempting. They promise a low-maintenance fix and sound easy: just pour a solution down the drain or toss a packet into the trap and walk away. But what many don’t realize is that these shortcuts often mask deeper issues—and can even make them worse.

If you’ve ever been caught in the cycle of using additives and still needing emergency pumping, you’re not alone.

A-1 Tank Service: Your Trusted Guide with Decades of Experience

At A-1 Tank Service, we’ve spent over 70 years working with food establishments across the San Francisco Bay Area, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. From mom-and-pop diners to high-volume restaurants and hotel kitchens, we’ve seen it all.

We’re not here to sell you magic solutions. We’re here to give you honest advice based on real-world experience, backed by county permitting and industry best practices.

Let’s break down the three main types of additives and uncover what really works—and what doesn’t.

What Are Grease Trap Additives?

Grease trap additives are commercial products designed to help manage the buildup of fats, oils, and grease (commonly referred to as FOG) in your grease trap system. These additives fall into three main categories:

1. Enzymes

2. Bacteria-based treatments

3. Chemical degreasers and solvents

Each of these works differently and has varying levels of effectiveness, depending on how and when they’re used.

1. Enzymes: Quick Breakdown or Quick Backfire?

Enzyme-based products are marketed as a way to break down grease into smaller molecules that are easier to flush through the system. They typically contain proteins that catalyze the breakdown of organic matter.

Pros:

Cons:

• Enzymes don’t remove grease—they emulsify it, sending it further into your plumbing and local sewers

• Can cause re-solidification in pipes, leading to blockages and overflows

• Not recognized by many wastewater agencies as an acceptable grease management tool

The Bottom Line:

Enzymes are more of a temporary mask than a long-term solution. They may delay buildup in the trap, but they often cause larger problems downstream in your system—or worse, in the public sewer infrastructure, which can lead to fines and liability.

2. Bacteria-Based Grease Trap Additives: Sustainable or Slow to Act?

Bacteria-based products—sometimes referred to as bio-additives—introduce live microbes into your system. These microbes feed on FOG, converting it into harmless byproducts like water and carbon dioxide.

Pros:

• Can help maintain flow and reduce minor buildup

• May extend time between pumpings when used consistently and correctly

• Generally safe for plumbing and traps

Cons:

• Effectiveness depends heavily on system temperature, pH, and chemical exposure

• Often too slow to act in high-volume kitchens or heavily loaded systems

• Won’t handle solid waste or heavy grease loads

• Can die off if exposed to hot water or disinfectants

The Bottom Line:

Best used as a supplemental strategy. Bacteria-based treatments can offer marginal support between cleanings but should never replace physical pumping or professional service.

3. Chemical Additives: Aggressive—And Risky

Chemical additives, including caustic cleaners, degreasers, and emulsifiers, are often touted as a powerful solution for breaking down grease instantly.

Pros:

Cons:

• Can corrode metal and PVC pipes over time

• Kill off beneficial bacteria in grease traps and septic systems

• May violate local discharge regulations

• Pose environmental and safety risks if overused

The Bottom Line:

Use extreme caution. These products may seem powerful, but they often do more harm than good. Most grease-related plumbing issues caused by chemical misuse are more expensive to fix than regular maintenance would have been in the first place.

A Smarter Approach to Grease Trap Maintenance

So, if additives aren’t the answer, what is the best way to manage your grease trap?

Here’s the process that works—time-tested, regulation-friendly, and restaurant-approved:

Step 1: Schedule Regular Pumping

The single most important step is to stick to a routine pumping schedule. For most commercial kitchens, this means every 1 to 3 months, depending on volume.
Your county may also require a specific frequency to stay compliant.

Step 2: Train Staff to Scrape and Pre-Rinse

Ensure your team is minimizing grease going down the drain by scraping plates and pans before washing. The less grease entering the system, the longer your trap stays functional.

Step 3: Inspect Your Trap Regularly

Look for signs of excessive FOG, slow drainage, or foul odors. These can indicate that your trap is overdue for service or isn’t working as intended.

Step 4: Use Additives with Caution

If you choose to use additives, go with a bacteria-based product approved by your local wastewater authority—and only as a maintenance supplement, not a replacement for pumping.

Step 5: Partner with a Trusted Professional

With over seven decades of experience and full county permitting, A-1 Tank Service is here to keep your system running smoothly and your kitchen worry-free.

What Happens If You Don’t Take Action?

Ignoring grease trap maintenance—or relying too heavily on additives—can lead to serious consequences:

• Expensive emergency cleanouts due to clogs or overflows

• Health code violations and surprise inspections

• Bad odors and unsanitary conditions in your dining and prep areas

• Damage to municipal sewer systems, leading to liability or legal penalties

• Lost revenue from downtime during emergency maintenance

According to the EPA, FOG is one of the primary causes of sewer backups in the United States, costing local governments millions of dollars annually.

What Success Looks Like

Imagine walking into your kitchen each day knowing your plumbing and grease trap are under control.

No clogs. No odors. No last-minute pump-outs.
Just a system that works like it should—because you took the right steps and worked with the right team.

When you partner with A-1 Tank Service, you get:

• Reliable, scheduled pumping that keeps you compliant

• Honest feedback and inspections that prevent bigger problems

• Friendly, knowledgeable technicians who treat your kitchen like their own

• Peace of mind, knowing your system is handled by the Bay Area’s most trusted name in non-hazardous pumping

Call A-1 Tank Service Today

Don’t gamble your reputation, revenue, or health inspection score on a shortcut.

Let A-1 Tank Service be your partner in clean, efficient, and compliant grease trap care.
We’ll help you build a smart maintenance plan and provide honest advice—without selling you on gimmicks.

Call us today to schedule your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are grease trap additives safe for all systems?
A: Not all additives are safe. Enzymes and bacteria-based treatments may offer some benefit, but strong chemical cleaners can damage your plumbing and disrupt your grease trap’s balance. Always consult a professional first.

Q2: How often should I pump my grease trap if I use additives?
A: Even if you use additives, regular pumping is essential. For most kitchens, this means every 1 to 3 months, depending on volume and local regulations.

Q3: Can I use additives to avoid grease trap pumping?
A: No. Additives are not a substitute for physical removal of solids and grease. They may help slow down buildup, but they cannot remove what’s already accumulated.

Q4: What happens if I use the wrong grease trap additive?
A: Using the wrong additive can lead to plumbing damage, environmental violations, and fines from your local health department. In severe cases, it can cause system failure and require costly repairs.