Whoops! Rancid Cast-Iron Seasoning
Silly me stuck the lid on my cast iron dutch oven, and in that lovely air-tight environment, the seasoning developed a lovely rancid scent. Other than completely stripping the seasoning out of it, how can I restore it? Or just I just throw my roast in it and not worry about it?
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15 Comments:
If your oven has a self-cleaning cycle on it, put the cast iron inside the oven and run the self clean. That will remove all the old seasoning and then you can reseason.
beth1 at 4:20PM on 12/22/08
You can also wash it by hand with a mild dish detergent, wipe it dry, and then oil it down with some grape seed oil, then roast away.
simon at 5:06PM on 12/22/08
I'd definitely get some steel wool and scrub the old seasoning off in hot water with a little mild detergent. Then re-season it. I store mine upside down on a rack under my cupboard in the kitchen, to let air circulate at all times.
Mares at 6:02PM on 12/22/08
I don't think that's necessary, but if you like giving yourself extra work and have nothing better to do, then by all means go ahead. Re-seasoning is only really needed if you have rust issues, doesn't sound like that's the case.
simon at 6:24PM on 12/22/08
I would do as simon said. However, I use plain veggie oil. I wash it and then dry it on the stove when it starts to smoke i oil it. It won't change to flavor of whatever you are cooking if you clean it up,it should be perfect again:)
love2cook at 6:27PM on 12/22/08
I'd recomend a good scrub in hot water and soap, because rancid fat is spoiled fat, and I'd be concerned about making myself or anyone else ill from it. Not really any more work than what one would do after using it. Steel wool removes seasoning very easily. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves.
Mares at 7:30PM on 12/22/08
Thanks for the suggestions! I tried washing with soap and water, but the smell really didn't fade much. Being short on steel wool (and needing to get the roast in the oven), I invoked the ultimate power: I called my mom. Her suggestion? Fill the pot with heavily salted water, bring to a boil, dump and rinse well. Worked like a charm.
jenilowrance at 8:08PM on 12/22/08
Salt is a disinfectant. Great idea MOM!
JerzeeTomato at 11:01PM on 12/22/08
Haha! Exactly. I was going to recommend boiling with some salted water and then wipe with oil and reheat.
I also crisco. It doesn't get sticky.
Heat well and it won't get rancid. Translated-heat the holy crap out of it.
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 11:10PM on 12/22/08
i just saw this and was going to suggest baking soda.
cybercita at 11:19PM on 12/22/08
@carol - "crisco" and "sticky" in the same post? You're just testing me, aren't you?
hungryinhouston at 11:50PM on 12/22/08
Haha, It doesn't though, if you heat the hell out of it.
A duel, sir?
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 1:13AM on 12/23/08
I remember the time my seasoning on a couple of French crepe pans went horribly wrong, leaving a layer of hard bubbles on the bottom of one of the pans. I put a sanding bit on my drill and completely wore down the seasoning, then re-seasoned the pan correctly. Sounds extreme but it worked.
chiff0nade at 7:14AM on 12/23/08
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS: I also crisco my iron skillet-never fails
gastronomeg at 2:21PM on 12/23/08
SALT! A great idea! I have a couple of cast iron pans in need of reseasoning. Great idea.
fewteeth at 9:58PM on 12/23/08