this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2026
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Cast Iron

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Help! My pan tastes like soap! (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works to c/castiron@lemmy.world
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TLDR: How can I get rid of a stubborn soapy fragrance on my pan that flavors the food cooked in it, and how can I avoid this happening again in the future?

Admittedly, this isn't the only item that tastes like soap if it's been washed with it; one of my plastic bottles will taste horrendously of soap if I use our dish soap on it. I'm not sure if it's the brand of dish soap or what's going on, but I've noticed over the past couple months that the cast iron pan is getting the same flavor. It's a small pan for eggs and this morning I was physically unable to eat them because I kept gagging, the smell/taste of soap on the pan was that strong. It's not the first time this happens and it's horrendous. Sometimes I can smell it as it heats up so I have to rinse it a ton and that can help but doesnt always fix it completely.

It gets rinsed really well right after washing. I'm also not the only one that cleans the pan but I think it's an issue with the dish soap, not the cleaning method. For now I've rinsed it a bunch of times in the hopes that the flavor won't be there next time I use it and won't be washing with soap.

Any suggestions for a dish soap that won't impart fragrances onto cast iron (or reusable plastic water bottles)?

Or any other tips for how to get rid of this scent on the pan and prevent it in the future. I'm happy to just clean with water and vinegar or something else, but I can't take another bite of soapy eggs ๐Ÿ˜ญ

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[โ€“] hansolo@lemmy.today 19 points 5 days ago (2 children)

  1. Thow that soap away.

  2. Fill the pan with water and simmer for a few minutes. Then season with a new layer of oil, in the oven. Never use that soap on it again

[โ€“] JustJack23@slrpnk.net 11 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

Isn't "soap can't be used on cast iron" a myth?

I misread

Never use that soap on it again

like never use soap on it again, nvm.

[โ€“] paraplu@piefed.social 11 points 5 days ago

It is a myth. But if a particular soap is causing problems I'd stop using it. Especially since this problem is affecting other kitchen items.

OP might also want to photograph the ingredients on the back of the bottle. In the unlikely event another brand or brands cause this issue, I know I'd get frustrated if I couldn't figure out what not to buy. Or just return to a known safe brand.

[โ€“] hansolo@lemmy.today 8 points 5 days ago

It's an old standard. Dish soap used to be made with lye, which strips seasoning. Modern dish soap is petrochemicals, and doesn't harm seasoning as much.

But it does dry out the seasoning by removing a protective oil layer, so that needs to be reapplied after a soap wash. It's not necessary at all to use soap if you can wipe it clean. But I also don't want to fry fish for dinner and bake scones in the morning and risk a lingering fish flavor.

[โ€“] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

Yes it is AFAIK, but the soap that I'm using is imparting a fragrance/flavor not only on my cast iron but in my plastic water bottle. So they're saying soap I'm using should be tossed.

[โ€“] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Thanks I'll, do that for sure. Can you recommend a soap for me? Im just using whatever my father brings from the store but I'll buy one myself to use on my dishes. I just have no clue what a proper soap is that won't cause this issue.

[โ€“] hansolo@lemmy.today 5 points 5 days ago

I just use normal, average plain dish soap. Just a very small amount, and I rarely use soap anyway, only when there's some really stuck on burned gunk.

Try using only salt, water, paper towels and oil for cleaning and see how it goes.

[โ€“] felixwhynot@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

Go with him to the store and look for an unscented soap

[โ€“] echo@lemmings.world 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I just use cheap, generic liquid dish soap and never have it leave anything behind. Is your pan properly seasoned and properly cleaned? The soap must be getting 'stuck' on something. Can you share a photo of your pan?

As someone else said, fill the pan with water and boil it for a bit. Dump that and then rinse it with warm to hot water really well immediately after. If you have a chain mail scrubber or a soft bristle brush then give it a good scrubbing and rinse one more time. If you can still smell any soap then repeat.

If this doesn't get rid of the soap smell then I have to believe your pan isn't properly seasoned in the first place. It may need to be stripped and re-seasoned.

If the soap smell is gone, then apply a thin layer of oil and heat it up, again. You can do this on the stove top or the oven. Do it twice - once each way - if you like. :)

[โ€“] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I do think it's decently seasoned and cleaned. Food doesn't stick to it and when I wipe with a paper towel its clean. I could post a photo if necessary if that doesn't work.

The dish soap causes issues with my plastic water bottle too so I do think it's an issue with the soap itself

[โ€“] echo@lemmings.world 3 points 4 days ago

Yeah, definitely try a different soap... make sure you're not getting something that is concentrated. You might also be dealing with really hard water which does a terrible job of rinsing soap residue. You might skip the dish soap entirely on your cast iron and just use some kosher salt, instead.

[โ€“] royroyroy@lemmy.ca 4 points 5 days ago

For me regular dish detergent rinses off ok, but kitchen counter sprays will linger through thorough hot water rinsing, especially noticeable with water bottles. So that supports the try switching your dish soap reply. For water bottles my go to is baking soda, seems to freshen & clean with only a vigorous shake, absolute wonder drug that stuff. Vinegar the other great odour remover also worth considering (not for your pan obviously).

[โ€“] Hawke@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Stop using Dawn, that shit stinks to high heaven. (Just guessing at the brand โ€ฆ am I right?)

[โ€“] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

It's not dawn :( I have seen some other people say dawn does that so I will not be buying it.