How can I remedy this cast iron pan situation?

After only 4 months of using my cast iron pan, it seems to have absorbed a gross musty smell that seeps into all the food that is cooked in it. I have cleaned it thoroughly with a cloth and a stainless steel brush and tried scrubbing it with salt which is apparently a useful cleaning trick. Any suggestions?How can I remedy this cast iron pan situation?
You need to reseason the pan. I assume it had been seasoned earlier. Before you reseason, this is what you need to do -



Place it in your Self Cleaning Oven on the shortest cleaning cycle (usually 3 hrs. on most models), and it will come out looking like the day it came out of the mold. Allow it to cool overnight. Wash the residue off with WATER ONLY in the sink using a stiff abrasive pad. Make certain NO DISH SOAP comes in contact with the utensil during this procedure. If it does you will have to start over!!! Dry the cast iron utensil off with a paper towel, and IMMEDIATELY place BACK in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or so.



Now reseason and you should be ready to go.



Cast iron cooking is the way to go! Heavy and cumbersome, but cooking is so even and food comes out great and tasty. Just gotta make sure the pan/dutch oven is properly cared for.How can I remedy this cast iron pan situation?
It's time to re-season that baby!



Scrubbing a well seasoned cast iron pan with soap and water is not a good idea with common use (unless you're priming it for a re-season). When you season your cast iron or carbon steel cookware, the point is to develop the patina further by cooking with it and leaving a thin layer of oil after rinsing with water.



If your food has a funny taste or odor after cooking in your cast iron cookware, then re-seasoning is the solution.



This is the only time it is good to wash your pan with soapy water. This is essentially priming the pan to be seasoned. Remember, all of the patina does not need to be off the pan after scrubbing it, just the outermost layer.



Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Rub your pan with a thin layer of vegetable shortening and place it upside-down in the oven for 4 hours. Let it cool and repeat the process for a stronger patina. I get the best results doing it 3-4 times.



Your pan should be good as new. The only smells coming from your pan should be the rich aroma of fried chicken bubbling away or...well...I won't spoil your surprise!



Good luck and be well!