How do you clean a cast iron frying pan that has a moldy smell to it?

Answer 1

I collect old cast iron, so I've seen some pieces that are pretty rough. The moldy smell is often caused by a collection of old rancid oil on the piece.

Contrary to common belief, it's perfectly OK to wash cast iron pots in soapy water. I try not to, but I will when needs be. That's not to say that you won't possibly have to re-season the pot later, but that's no big deal. The No Soap "rule" comes from days gone by, when soap contained a lot of lye. Newer soaps don't.

So that's what I'd try first. If the pot smells bad, you probably won't want to cook in it. You might as well give it a good soap and water wash. Just don't use anything too course to scrub with. Use one of those plastic scrubbies. Dry the piece well after you wash it, then give it a light coating of cooking oil inside and out if the smell has gone away. If not, then don't bother.

If the smell remains, it's time to escalate. I'd try a light sanding of the surface of the pot. Use fine sandpaper and/or steel wool. Wash and dry and give it the old smell test. OK? Good. No, still smells? If this doesn't do it, it's time to completely strip the piece. This is done in a few ways. One, is to make and use an electrolysis machine, It's pretty easy, but requires an old battery charger and a few other pieces parts. Another way is to coat the piece with oven cleaner, wrap it up in a plastic trash bag and let it sit for a few days or a week. When it's clean, wash and dry it, then season it. The other way is to submerge the pot in a lye bath. I use one of those plastic tubby things that you can buy at WallyWorld or at a Dollar store, for $5. Just be sure it's big enough to hold the pot, submerged in liquid. Mix 1 can of lye with 4-5 gallons of water in the tubby. NOTE! Lye is evil stuff. Be very careful when you handle it. Slowly add the lye to the water. Use eye protection. Stir well, but gently ) Hang the pieces from the side of the tub with a steel coat hanger. (The hanger lets you remove the piece without sticking your hands in the lye) I usually let the pieces soak for several days or a week. I have left pieces in the tub for a month. They don't rust and aren't damaged. When the piece is properly cleaned, it will have a gray color to it. If the smell is gone after you've washed the piece, you can go ahead and re-season it.

If, after all of this, the pot still smells, I'd offer it on Ebay as a boat anchor. Or, I'd make a kitchen clock out of it. SOME pots are beyond saving. Not many, but some. Others just make you so mad that they deserve a humiliating demise. Let's hope you can save yours!