Anode rod

I rinse with the little wand thing in the fall, then just remount the anode. Good for the next year. Well.. now I just put the plug back in. Furpod² doesn't use an anode.

I leave my anode rod out all winter, but I seal off the vent opening with a plastic bag. I rinse out the hot water tank in the fall while winterizing and again in the spring while de-winterizing. Just in case of "critters..."

Yes, you should flush out your HW tank when you winterize or un-winterize.  If you leave the anode port open all winter, then you never know who took up residence in the tank and may want to wash out whatever settled in.  Depending on the mineral content and filtration of your water, "stuff" (mostly calcium carbonate) accumulates in the tank and it's a good idea to wash it out.  You can just use a hose spray nozzle or you can get one of those little flexible plastic wands that they sell on e-trailer.  If you use the latter, be sure you don't mix up the one you use for your black water tank with the one for the HW tank.  You'll be amazed/appalled at what you'll see coming out of your HW tank.

Does the hot water tank ever need flushing out. and if so whats the best way.

Originally posted by henryv Are you saying that middle one is fine??

Yes, it is. It's a sacrificial anode. Until it is completely gone down to the base wire, it's still working, dissolving slowly, so your tank liner doesn't. Our 2011 still has the factory rod. Just talked with the people who bought furpod from us on Tuesday..