leave in or keep out water heater plug winterizing?

I put in a stubby 1/4 turn brass ball valve in the drain of three different rigs, works real slick

I leave mine out, I lay it inside the heater and close up the access door. World hasn't ended yet, and no "things" have made a nest inside the heater.

And to remind me in the spring that the plug is not tight I put a little flagging at the access latch door.

Inspect the plug for rounded corners. If corners are rounded order a new one
Put back in loosely!

budwich wrote:
once it has been drained, put the plug back in (finger tight) to prevent "things" from crawling in.... also prevents losing said plug.

x2. I put the plug in finger tight.

Put it back in finger tight. If you don't, the threads on the plug and the threads on the water heater hole will rust up, making it very difficult to re-insert in the Spring.

I usually put mine in one turn, but not tight. Same as hot and cold drains, and fresh water tank drain. Sewage dump is checked to be sure pink has reached both black and grey valves.

I put mine back in, I don't want small critters making a winter home in there.

once it has been drained, put the plug back in (finger tight) to prevent "things" from crawling in.... also prevents losing said plug.