Is my cast iron ruined?

[DietitianInTraining]

Okay, so here's the story in a nut shell..

My mom just gave me a cast iron dutch oven a couple months ago. I seasoned it, used it once (loved it), then loaned it to a family member (mistake...) She apparently made some kind of stew, kept the leftovers in the dutch oven, and left it in the fridge for around 4 weeks. When it was finally removed, it was filled to the rim with mold. She's apologized, and offered to replace it, but I just wanted to know if it was for sure ruined. I know youre not suppose to clean cast iron with soap.. and i've scrubed it with hot water the best that I can, but there's still some redish spots on it from the stew she made. If I scrub it again real good, and re season it, is it safe to use?

Thanks for any help.

-Crissy

 

[Andy M.]

Scour the DO clean. Use soap, BKF, scouring pads, sandpaper. Get it nice and clean, then reseason it. It will be as good as new.

 

[DietitianInTraining]

Oh great, thanks Andy. For some reason, I thought that if you even used soap on it once it would ruin it. Makes sense, as long as you re season it. Thanks!

 

[CharlieD]

The cast iron pans are virtually indistactable.

 

[GB]

Soap won't ruin it. The worst it will do is remove the seasoning. You can always re-season.

 

[jennyema]

It's perfectly fine to use soap on seasoned cast iron.

Scrub that baby out with soap and hot water.

I'd disinfect it by putting it in a hot oven, too. Maybe take that opportunity to reseason if need be.

 

[ChefJune]

You can definitely fix it! But I bet it will be a cold day in He!! before you loan that family member one of your good pots again!

 

[GrillingFool]

Cast iron... if it isn't in 2 pieces, it isn't ruined, LOL!

 

[bigdaddy3k]

Make them replace it!!! Then you have two!!! Mwah ha ha! (please fill in appropriate evil laugh sound effect)

 

[DietitianInTraining]

LOL, you guys are great, Thanks everyone!

 

[jennyema]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but can't help it ....

Why was it in the fridge for 4 weeks?

 

[DietitianInTraining]

lol Jenny, she said she just forgot about it... Chefjune was right.. this particular family member will NOT be getting anymore dishes from me!