Traditionally, cast iron pans have been a staple in many kitchens since they are durable and can handle even the stickiest foods. The cast-iron pan is versatile enough for nearly anything, including vegetables and fish.
Some people wonder why their cast iron pan suddenly has an unpleasant odor, no matter how well they clean it.
Several factors can cause cast iron pans to smell from time to time. Odor in the pan often happens when someone has incorrectly seasoned it or is past the point of being re-seasoned. In either case, food cooked in the pan can penetrate the seasoning and remain on the surface, causing an unpleasant odor.
Knowing where the odor is coming from can typically help resolve the problem from happening in the future. Read below to learn more about other reasons your cast iron smells and how to neutralize it.
How Do You Remove Smell From Cast Iron?
While there are many ways to remove the smell from cast iron, one of the most common ways is to use the oven to burn it off. Although it sounds counterintuitive, if you put your cast iron pan in an oven set at 400℉ for about 10-15 minutes, the odor tends to go away.
Since the most common reason for the smell is likely caused by seasoning challenges, any food you make in the cast iron pan may leave an odor behind. Unless you do something about the smell, you may end up transferring this to other meals you prepare.
Before tackling the issue of re-seasoning the pan, you first need to get rid of the smell causing you, most likely quite a bit of frustration. Most experienced cast iron users recommend using the oven method for removing the odor.
Other cast-iron users suggest filling it will water and boiling it on the stovetop for about 10 minutes. In many cases, this was an effective method of removing the odor from the pan.
After attempting the oven method, you may need another approach to find that it did not remove the smell.
Another common way to rid your cast iron pan of the unpleasant odor is to use the water boiling method, but add salt to the water. The salt and the boiling water reaction is often enough to remove any particles embedded in the pan that may be causing the smell.
Once you can get rid of the smell, you will want to ensure that this does not happen again.
This can be avoided by making sure that you have seasoned your pan correctly by giving it ample time in the oven after thoroughly washing, drying, and applying the oil. Just make sure that you are not overusing the oil.
Why Your Cast Iron Smells Like Metal
Cast iron that smells like metal is typically due to rust that has built up over time, which indicates that it is time to re-season your pan. In some cases, it may not even be over time that you notice the rust, but after you have used it and stored it away.
If done correctly, a seasoned cast iron pan can last for quite a long time, depending on how often it is used. The problem is that the seasoning process does not last for an extended period, no matter how well you do it.
In most cases, if you have a metallic smell in your pan, anything you cook in it will also taste like metal. This is why it is essential that if you notice this, you take care of the situation before using it to prepare a meal.
Before you re-season your cast iron, it is recommended that you use a scouring brush to remove all of the rust and as much of the previous seasoning as possible. If the rust is not removed before re-seasoning, you will soon run into the same issue with your pan.
Why Your Cast Iron Smells Like Plastic
In most cases, a plastic smell on cast iron is caused by oil with a low smoke point when seasoning it. You can get a plastic smell from the pan when you use this type of oil, but turn the oven up to a higher temperature than the oil can handle.
When scrolling through the plethora of information available on the internet on how to season your cast iron properly, you will run across many opinions on the best methods.
This includes some advice on the types of oils to use and the correct temperatures to use for the seasoning process.
If you decide to use a higher temperature for your seasoning procedure, you must use an oil with a higher smoke point. This is because a lower smoke point can cause the oil to burn, leaving an unpleasant smell on your cast iron.
The only thing you can do if you discover this smell is to start the entire process repeatedly, from scrubbing down the cast iron to oiling it and baking it.
You can avoid this if you take the time to ensure you are using suitable oils and temperatures.
Why Your Cast Iron Smells Rancid
A rancid smell on your cast iron typically indicates it is not being cleaned properly after use, and too much oil is left behind on the pan. When using a cast iron pan, you should wash it with mild dish soap and water and then dry it. Many people also recommend using a thin layer of oil after each use and then letting it dry, although this is not necessary after every use.
When it comes to caring for your cast iron, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and advice of people who have regularly used this type of pan.
Although there is quite a bit of advice out there, following basic care guidelines will keep your cast iron in good condition for years to come.
Part of caring for your cast iron is to season it before using it the first time. This is essential to ensure that the pan does its job of keeping food from sticking.
Once it has been seasoned, standard care guidelines of washing it out and making sure it is dried completely can help it stay in good shape.
Many cast iron experts suggest lightly oiling it after each use; however, if you seasoned yours correctly, the polymerization should protect the pan from rust and various smells.
If you choose to oil your pan after each use, you should be cautious with the amount and kind of oil you use.
Why Your Cast Iron Smells Like Chemicals
When a cast-iron smells like chemicals, this is usually because of the oils used to polymerize the pan. Using oil with a higher smoke point can typically solve this problem during the seasoning process.
Most experts recommend checking the oil’s smoke point since you are using high heat when seasoning your cast iron. If the oil cannot handle the temperature you are using, it has a lower smoke point and can cause a terrible chemical smell.
It is important to note that seasoning, or polymerization, is a chemical process and often has a smell along the way. This is due to the pan reacting with the oil and high heat. It is suggested that you keep your home well ventilated while doing this.
When Should You Replace a Cast Iron Pan?
The great thing about cast iron cookware is that it should never have to be replaced if taken care of properly. This means that if you hand wash it after each use and season it from time to time, it should last for generations.
Cast iron cookware was developed to withstand many cooking conditions, as long as it is given some tender loving care. It is not recommended to put it in a dishwasher or soak it in water for long periods. Doing this will cause your cast iron to rust.
It is important to note that even if you notice rust on your cast iron, all is not necessarily lost. This is because, with some careful restorative techniques, you should be able to get it back to suitable working conditions.
These techniques include scouring the pan with a brush and using salt and hot water items to add an abrasive cleaning process. Once the rust is removed, you can start over by following the recommended seasoning process, and it should be good as new.
Many people own cast iron pans passed down from family members for many years. Cast iron is durable and is a staple in many homes for good reason. As long as you keep your pan seasoned, washed between uses, dried, and stored in between uses, your cast iron will last a very long time.