Anode Rod condition

[BeeMagicUSA]

Hello nomads, removed anode rode for the first time from my heater and found what you can see on the picture.
Based on your experience tell me please if I have to buy a new one and what specifically caused such deterioration?
So far I removed it as a part of winterization procedure.
Any suggestion is welcome.

[sourdough]

Some would put the rod back in because there is a lot left. It's job is "sacrificial" and it will deteriorate as it protects the lining of the water tank until nothing is left but a thin wire like you see at the bottom. I replace mine every 6-12 months regardless of what it looks like and clean out the bottom of the tank. As the rod deteriorates it leaves lots of sediment in the tank.

[TXiceman]

Put it back in.

Ken

[jsb5717]

I'll typically replace mine every 2-3 years. As long as there's a good amount of the outer gray material then it's working, as Danny said, to protect your water heater lining. It looks normal and doing what it's supposed to do.

[GlasNav]

Before putting it back in, use a garden hose and flush out the hot water heater tank thru the anode opening. Remember to use a couple of wraps of teflon tape when you put it back in.