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Soda fountain drains, like any drain, can clog. The sugar and condensates from the soda fountain can solidify, clogging the drains and drain lines at the bottom of the soda fountain. This can cause the soda fountain drains to back up, spilling left-over soda onto your employees and customers.

If you are facing these problems in your soda fountain, you likely know that you want a solution. However, knowing which product to turn to can be difficult.

At State Chemical, a 113-year-old company, we sell many drain products, including drain openers and preventative drain maintainers. One product we have been selling for almost 10 years is Drain Chaser, which is specifically designed to prevent soda fountains from clogging. Two of our competitors, DeVere Company and Ecolab, also sell products formulated to prevent soda fountain clogs.

This article reviews three products that prevent soda fountain clogs: State Chemical’s Drain Chaser, Devere’s Beverage Pucks, and Ecolab’s Pathway Beverage Drain Control.

What All Three Products Offer

All three products on this list are specifically designed to prevent soda fountain clogs. They are formulated to prevent the sugars and condensates in the soda fountain from clogging the fountain and the drain lines coming out of the fountain. They all can solve this problem.

Review: State Chemical’s Drain Chaser

• Makeup: Solid disc with an ocean breeze smell.
• Use Safety: Wear personal protective equipment while using; wash hands after use.
• How to Use: Place a disc under the grate near the drain hole. Replace when the disc has dissipated.
• How Often You Need to Use: The disc lasts 2-3 weeks; replace it after it dissipates.
• Additional Benefits:
• Eliminates fly habitats.
• Contains bacteria to digest the sugars and condensate.
  • Bacteria continue working after the disc is used up, so you get some benefit if you forget to replace the disc.

Who It’s Right For

• Soda fountain with drain flies.
• Someone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it solution.

Review: Devere’s Beverage Puck

• Makeup: Solid puck with a mild smell.
• Use Safety: Wear personal protective equipment while using; wash hands after use.
• How to Use: Place puck in the soda fountain tray at the edge furthest from the drain. Replace when the puck has dissolved.
• How Often You Need to Use: The puck lasts 2-4 weeks; replace after it dissolves.
• Additional Benefits:
• Contains bacteria to digest the sugars and condensate.
• Bacteria continue working after the disc is used up, so you get some benefit if you forget to replace the disc.

Who It’s Right For

• Someone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
• Someone who wants the longest time between having to use the product.

Review: Ecolab Pathways Beverage

• Makeup: Odorless liquid.
• Use Safety: Do not need to wear PPE; wash hands after use.
• How to Use: Squeeze bottle to fill dosing chamber, remove cap and pour dose directly down drain; do not follow with a water rinse.
• How often You Need to Use: Pour down drain everyday.

Who It’s Right For

• Someone who doesn’t want to deal with PPE.
• Someone who doesn’t mind daily maintenance.

The Punch Line: The Best Product for You Depends on Your Needs.

There are advantages to State Chemical’s Drain Chaser, Devere’s Beverage Pucks, and Ecolab’s Pathway Beverage Drain Control. Beverage Pucks is best for you if you want a set-it-and-forget-it solution that lasts a long time. Pathway Beverage Control is best for you if you don’t want to wear PPE. State Chemical’s Drain Chaser is best for you if you want a set-it-and-forget it solution that will eliminate drain fly habitats.

If State Chemical’s Drain Chaser is best for you, contact State Chemical and a representative will assist.