What the heck is this? For a split second I thought I was pulling the anode rod when trying to drain the hot water heater.Crappy cell phone pics....sorry.Maybe instead of what, I should say, why?

Looks like an anode!Is your water heater a Suburban or an Atwood?

That's an Anode Rod....with plenty of life left !!

What did you think an anode rod was?

Put it back in. It's still good for a while yet.

Hot water drain plug question. | Good Sam Community

Beartoo
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
It looks like an anode to me.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 29, 2013
Looks like an anode!
Is your water heater a Suburban or an Atwood?
GENECOP
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2013
That's an Anode Rod....with plenty of life left !!
pappcam
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
What did you think an anode rod was?
robsouth
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2013
Put it back in. It's still good for a while yet.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
A year or two left on that one!
skipnchar
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Put that anode rode back in, it shows almost no wear. When it's half that size change it.
Good luck / Skip
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 29, 2013
It looks like the "anode" has a small thread. That could be an anode for an Atwood tank that Atwood does not recommend.
You_can_t_take_
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Yup... that thar's an anode rod! Took mine out last Saturday and it's identical!
_40Fan
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
Ah...F me. I was thinking (an anode rod) had an electical connector to it like an electical hot water heater.

Now that I google what one actually is, I was totally confused to begin with.

Edit in red.