Check the manufacturer's rule
Bradford White's odor guidance warns that complete anode removal shortens tank life and voids the warranty. It discusses an alternative anode for appropriate equipment; that does not make the named part suitable for every heater. Bradford White anode and odor guidance.
Ask the provider to identify your model's approved replacement options and applicable warranty terms in writing. Do not assume a powered, flexible, or different-metal rod is approved because it fits the opening.
Find the reason for the odor
Record hot-versus-cold observations at the affected fixtures, any well or utility supply, water treatment, and previous odor work. An anode change may be only part of the answer.
Ask the water-heater technician what finding supports a heater-side correction. Refer water testing and treatment to the utility, certified laboratory, or qualified water-quality professional as appropriate.
Do not pour bleach or descaler into the tank, change water treatment, or increase temperature as an experiment. An actual approved treatment needs a qualified plan for the equipment and drinking-water system.
If the anode was already removed
Tell the provider when it happened and how the opening was handled. Request inspection and manufacturer guidance on restoring approved protection, remaining equipment condition, and warranty implications.
Replacing protection does not prove that earlier damage is absent or that coverage automatically returns. Ask for the actual finding and written manufacturer decision if coverage is disputed.
Choose the supported path
Compare the approved correction's purpose, cost, coverage, and how odor improvement will be verified. If the provider proposes removing the rod permanently, request the manufacturer's written approval before considering that recommendation.
Your next step is to send the model and removal history to a qualified water-heater provider. Ask for a plan that addresses odor and preserves the protection the tank requires.