Funky Cast Iron

[captain_slinky]

Hey, remember that great big beautiful cast-iron Dutch Oven i found by the dumpster a few months back? The one in beautiful condition?

It has a funky smell to it.

Like... kind of a fishy smell, kinda a "Bad Poultry" smell. I thought it would go away after a few uses, but it's still there and STRONG.

SO! CAST-IRON OWNERS!!! Do you suppose it's safe to use some bleach on it to try and get rid of the smell? I know you should never use Dawn on cast iron because it ruins the seasoning, but maybe that's what I need to get rid of is a bad seasoning on it? WHAT WOULD YOU DO?!?!?

Comments

[rogh-sensei.livejournal.com]

Scour that fucker within an inch of it's life. The seasoning can be replaced; just coat the thing in oil and bake in the oven.

[captain-slinky.livejournal.com]

Been scouring FOREVER!!! Do you think it's safe to introduce chemicals and soaps in to the equation?

[rogh-sensei.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. Solvents, detergents, Comet, whatever. Just make sure you dry the newly-cleaned vessel VERY thoroughly (bake it for a while on high heat to be sure) and then re-season by coating the whole thing liberally with oil and baking that for a while.