Bad smelling water coming out of hot water tank?

[Maudiejoe5]

I rarely use my hot water heater but when I turned on the water at a campground today, really stinky sulfur smelling water came out of the hot water tap. Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do to clean out and/or deodorize the hot water heater?

[jerrybob]

Not uncommon.....you need to flush your tank with a vinegar solution. Lots of videos out there on the process....below is just one. Another way to avoid the problem......empty your water tank after every camping trip unless you plan to go again within a few weeks. You also want to make sure your anode rod is not gone. I have never needed to flush my tank on any trailer by following this procedure. Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKDyBYFAPIY

[Conrad S.]

Sometimes a magnesium anode is responsible for the smell. Changing to an aluminum/zinc anode can help.