Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

A blowdown valve is for removing sediment from dirty water (which is why it’s located low) and done in a short burst, not likely going to be achieved with this setup

I agree with draining boilers warm to help with evaporation, but if done too hot the sediment/scale can be baked to the inside.

I actually found some particles of sand like material on my last blowdown, but it wasn’t much.     I find this just to be a fun little project, and it does allow me to evacuate most of the water from the boiler instead of dumping it out or trying to suck it out.   And it adds more pipes to the plant which to me is just aesthetically pleasing.   LOL! 

It’s more of an aesthetic and adds another element to the steam plant.