U.S. Craftmaster GCR-50 2**

It holds 48 gallons in the test, 2 gallons less than its 50-gallon sold size. Over one hour from a full tank, it gave 81 gallons in the test (its first-hour rating). Reheating lets it give 33 gallons beyond the 48 gallons in its tank. In the first hour, 295 of the 763 gas storage models give more hot water. Among gas storage models, the median first-hour rating is 78 gallons.

On Oct 26, 2026, this heater was not listed as ENERGY STAR certified. In tests, 64% of the energy went to hot water, so its UEF is 0.64. Its test simulated a day of high hot water use (its draw pattern). Among 434 gas storage models on its draw pattern, 255 have a higher UEF. On its draw pattern, the median gas storage UEF is 0.66. When it reheats water in the test, 80% of the energy it uses ends up in the water.

Its test figures match those of 5 other basic models. Each of the 5 other brands lists one of them. You can find the whole group on the page for the A. O. Smith GCR-50 2**.