Heat kills fish smell better than soap

Yes. You can get rid of fish odors from cast iron without wrecking your seasoning.

The trick is heat, not chemicals. After washing your pan normally (yes, mild soap is fine—modern dish soap won’t ruin seasoning), dry it completely, then put it on the stove over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until it just starts to smoke. That burns off any volatile compounds that cause the smell. An oven at 400°F for 10 minutes works too.

If you’re still worried, scrub with coarse salt and a little oil before washing. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive and absorbs odors. Then rinse, dry, and heat. Don’t overcrowd the pan during cooking—smelly proteins need room to sear, not steam.

Your pan will be ready for pancakes tomorrow.