Rheem SP12231B Water Heater Brass Drain Valve

Arrived stuck and had to open it with a hammer. I highly recommend switching out the old stock ones with this. Makes flushing easy as cake!

I am using this valve to drain, to flush out my clogged water heater. It is working great as I expected.

the handle was so tight I had to open and close it using a hammer

I purchased this to replace the stock drain valve on my water heater. This valve opens a much larger port so the annual flushing is more effective at pushing sediment out. It has the 3/4" MPT threads to fit the water heater on one side and a standard hose bib thread on the other so you don't have to buy three fittings to do the same thing this does with just one.The complaints about the handle being tight may be because it is a shorty handle. This is perfect because it is only actuated once a year. Slip a pipe or wrench over the end to temporarily give a longer handle and it opens and closes easily. (At least the one I got)Pictured is the stock valve fully open and this valve fully open. It is a significant difference. I will never have another water heater without one.I also purchased a hose cap to protect the threads and prevent large water flow if the valve were ever accidentally opened without a hose connected.