Hot water heater problems

[Frances DeHart]

Hey everyone I hope you are all doing well I'm doing good had the first test of this winter as we are in the teens yesterday and today! And wouldn't you know it my heat tape quick working on my water hose going to the camper first thing I do is run out and shut the hydrant off I didn't need a geiser in the park! Anyways I need some help trouble shooting my Hot water heater it was getting super hot not that I'm complaining but it was only set on medium and it was hot!!! So yesterday shut the water off and I turned the pilot off on my heater I was worried it would burn it up the element? So I shut it off and there was no water to my camper till this afternoon nothing froze the water lines are all good I lit off my heater and no hot water just cold my hot water heater is on the east side so there is less wind.

[Drew]

There is no element on the propane side of a water heater, just a flue that the flame/heat blows through. As long as the pressure release valve is working and your flue is clean and clear there really is no risk of damage from the water getting really hot. You can check the pressure release valve by simply opening and closing it. With the heater on if you can feel hot air blowing out of the exhaust your flue is clear.  On my heater there is a slide on the the gas block to set the temperature. Mine has a line to show where the factory suggest it should it be set, I keep mine just below the line. If I set the temperature over the line the pressure release valve quickly opens and spews hot water every where.