Draining a hot water heater?

[flickit]

Is there any merit to draining/flushing a hot water heater at certain intervals to purge it of solids such as minerals to extend its life or otherwise cut down on the amount of corrosion?

[xkvator]

i have a well with iron, so i do it all the time - i open up the relief valve and usually a cup full is enough to get the red water out...about once every couple months i shut the elec. & valves and drain a couple inches off the top & open the bottom valve & drain till clear water comes out...doesn't take much since i do it often.
My last water heater was 20+ years old - still working ok, but i bought a new plastic one at sears on sale cause i figured it was going to leak or ? soon. one day i just decided to change it...pulled the elements out and although they were red color, there was no buildup on them or any sediment in the tank at all.
I was actually pretty surprised

[mdshunk]

The biggest thing that is concern is when the bottom element actually gets buried in the sludge. Once the bottom element gets buried in the much, it's not long before it's toast. Keeping the muck drained out below the level of the bottom element is beneficial. If this is a gas water heater, keeping the crap drained off will cause the water heater to work more efficiently.

[flickit]

The biggest thing that is concern is when the bottom element actually gets buried in the sludge. Once the bottom element gets buried in the much, it's not long before it's toast. Keeping the muck drained out below the level of the bottom element is beneficial. If this is a gas water heater, keeping the crap drained off will cause the water heater to work more efficiently.
...was worthwhile to ask and here I am on the brink of saving money (and elbow grease, to boot).

No question too silly here!

Thanks, again!