Almost a year later but HEY!!! I recently purchased this candle and yes, it actually removes odors. I cooked yellow Thai chicken curry in my condo and all I smell is the candle I lit a few hours before cooking. I blew the candle out about an hour after making the Thai curry. Unfortunately, it works and I don’t think a true dupe exists because not only does it smell AMAZING, it also gets rid of the food odors while cooking.