JRTJH,
Maybe the photos are a bit deceiving because of the angle in which they are taken, but it looks like a socket wrench with an extension would fit right in there. Or, is there not enough room for that because of the gas orifice?
Mine has the anode rod, the socket size is 1 1/16 inch. I keep this socket and ratchet exclusively, only for the water heater plug (anode). It servers no other purpose and it's tucked away inside the camper. It's one of the very few tools I keep in the camper that are dedicated for only 1 thing. I have another socket-ratchet set for everything else.
