Draining boiler -- how?

So I've always been told introducing new water into a boiler is bad and never drained the boiler since moving here about 2 years back -- but now I wanted to do it and I realize I don't really know how... there is a hose going to a bucket and on other end is connected to a pipe with a valve on it that is at the lower part of the boiler, but when i open that valve nothing happens..... I know how to refill it, which I do every week or so, but how do I drain this thing?

I tried turning both knobs at the water glass also, but nothing happens with that either ... 

Sorry about the embarrassing question and thanks for any help!

Ask your plumber or whoever services your boiler to show you.  Can you post a pic?

Here are a couple of pics, one of top of boiler and one of bottom. The bottom you could see the pipe with hose attached to it and valve, which I tried to no avail... based on what I read online, I'm guessing it is clogged.....

1. Wait till after the heating season...just in case.

2. Call a plumber

Ignore the sight glass - you don't drain the boiler from there.  The hose at the very bottom is for draining the wet return. You are probably correct that it is clogged, although it is possible that the hose itself is clogged. There should also be a valve, low on the boiler itself, likely on the same side as the wet return. Drain from there. Will probably have to use a bucket. I'd also remove the hose and open the valve slightly to test whether the return is clogged. If so, it should be cleaned. 

Good advice.  You should have your boiler serviced annually by a good plumber or your oil company for the best efficiency and operation.  They will demonstrate how to drain or whether to drain.

rhw said:

1. Wait till after the heating season...just in case.

2. Call a plumber

I've drained my water heater for years, and hot water boiler too.  But when I saw the plumber flushing / draining  the steam boiler and the maze of pipes coming out top, bottom, sides - not touching that thing!   (He did say he could add some valves to make it easier for me --ha!)

Good luck

I agree that a professional should have a look.  Is there a lever that looks like this anywhere?

yes at the top for refilling the water.

on bottom (in my first pic) there is a little valve with rubber hose coming from it and going into a dirty bucket, that one i tried to turn but once turned nothing happens

cats said:

I agree that a professional should have a look.  Is there a lever that looks like this anywhere?

The valve at the bottom with the hose is almost certainly the drain valve. Apparently from what you've written, either the valve or the line immediately behind it is clogged with rust particles (not uncommon).

Personally, since spring and warmer weather is close I would wait until you no longer need the boiler in use for at least a day or two as there is every chance that you may have to replace the valve (or have it replaced). Right now, if you break that valve you will have a lot of scalding rusty water all over your floor.

BTW: Once the valve is removed and you perhaps find that there is STILL no water coming out, -there is an old-school trick of using a bit of of coat hanger wire to clear the line behind it. You then have to be prepared for when the "flood" begins to either quickly screw on a new valve (while it's draining, -a bit tricky) or have plenty of buckets handy.

Good luck.

or a cork