Is cleaning an anode a thing

[Second Chance]

How do I know if I have one of those on our water heater? Never said anything when we bought it, they just said to drain it and rinse it out.

With your RV you should have received a packet of documents. In that packet is a document labeled "Serial Number Data Sheet." It will give you the manufacturer and model number of your water heater (according to the GD parts lookup site, a 6 gal. tank style WH). There should also be a manual in that packet for the water heater. Reading the manual or search for it online with your model number will give you the information you need. Many Atwood water heaters do not require an anode; Suburban water heaters do.

Rob

[alias100]

How do I know if I have one of those on our water heater? Never said anything when we bought it, they just said to drain it and rinse it out.

We have '21 22RBE and it came with a Dometic WH-6GEA water heater.
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...-heater-219438
They do not require an anode rod, I think that is because they have an aluminum tank.
Not sure if your '21 22RBE has the same heater, but it seems likely.

[Hitsman3]

With your RV you should have received a packet of documents. In that packet is a document labeled "Serial Number Data Sheet." It will give you the manufacturer and model number of your water heater (according to the GD parts lookup site, a 6 gal. tank style WH). There should also be a manual in that packet for the water heater. Reading the manual or search for it online with your model number will give you the information you need. Many Atwood water heaters do not require an anode; Suburban water heaters do.

Rob

ok, I believe ours is an Atwood but I will have to double check on that.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

We have '21 22RBE and it came with a Dometic WH-6GEA water heater.
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...-heater-219438
They do not require an anode rod, I think that is because they have an aluminum tank.
Not sure if your '21 22RBE has the same heater, but it seems likely.

Ya...depends on the materials your tank is made of. Our Reflection has the Dometic WH-6GEA...so no anode.
But for those with anodes...you don't need to replace it cuz it looks yucky, you replace it when it gets down to the centre core steel rod. Then it's done all it can do so you buy another.

[docque]

Ya...depends on the materials your tank is made of. Our Reflection has the Dometic WH-6GEA...so no anode.
But for those with anodes...you don't need to replace it cuz it looks yucky, you replace it when it gets down to the centre core steel rod. Then it's done all it can do so you buy another.

Yucky? Stop throwing all those technical terms at me. I am ordering replacements just in case we need them. Also, a flushing wand.

[Keebler]

How do I know if I have one of those on our water heater? Never said anything when we bought it, they just said to drain it and rinse it out.

You will know as soon as you drain it; the rod is part of the plug. I am getting three seasons from one rod.

Other tip; be sure to turn off power to your water heater before you drain; and don't turn power back on until it is filled. I made the mistake of turning mine on empty, I registered what I had done pretty quickly and shut the power off quickly. Unfortunately, not quickly enough; the element was shot in about a minute's time. Good news is that they are pretty cheap and very easy to replace.

[Hitsman3]

You will know as soon as you drain it; the rod is part of the plug. I am getting three seasons from one rod.

Other tip; be sure to turn off power to your water heater before you drain; and don't turn power back on until it is filled. I made the mistake of turning mine on empty, I registered what I had done pretty quickly and shut the power off quickly. Unfortunately, not quickly enough; the element was shot in about a minute's time. Good news is that they are pretty cheap and very easy to replace.

Ok, than ours doesn't have one. Just the plastic plug when I drain it.

[MoonShadow_1911]

Just found this article: RVtravel.com: Quick RV Tech Tip: What should I do with anode rod and water drain valve after winterizing?.
https://www.rvtravel.com/dave-quick-...terizing-1974/

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Yucky? Stop throwing all those technical terms at me.

What can I say....I'm a jargon geek...lol

[Summit1]

We noticed that our anode in the water heater was really crusty. Can you clean it with CLR or something like that? Or do you toss it?

While cleaning the anode is not a thing, but rather a task (or action), it is a futile action at the very least. The anode is doing its job (i.e., helping to preserve the water heater) and will accumulate mineral deposits over time and with system usage. The deposits are not harmful; they and the rod will eventually disintegrate as the rod does as planned and designed.

As pictured, the new rod shows neither wear nor deposits; the others show both wear/disintegration and deposits to various degrees. The worst of those pictured is in need of replacement.

Note: The Suburban water heaters have an anode rod; the Atwood/Dometic do not.