OK, For that really old pan that was used for dog food.
1. Get a drill with a wire brush and have at it until all the big time rust and crud is gone, inside and out. it should be a dark grey or at least close to it.
2. Fire up the BBQ grill outside on HI for about 15min to pre heat.
3. Slather your shiny (old) pan with a good hand full of lard, bacon grease, or dare I say, vegitable shortning (if you have nothing else) throw it in the hot grill close the lid and leave it to smoke for about 50 min.
4. Take it out and let it cool on its own until you can safely handle it. slather it again pop it back in the hot grill and let her smoke again.
5. This time when you take it out, (after its cool) wash it with as hot a water as you can stand and a nylon type scrubby thing (NOT STEEL WOOL). NO SOAP!
6. Repeat the grease and hot grill thing and wash again.
After about 4 times in the grill you'll be granted to a super non stick cast iron pan.
7. wash it with only water and the scrubby thing, DRY IMMEDIATELY, apply a thin coating of oil or grease and store it away.
***Always pre lube the pan before pre-heating.
***Always pre-heat your pan on LOW heat for about 5 min BEFORE cranking up the heat to sear or fry stuff.
***You don't need a lot of heat to cook in cast iron. I almost NEVER get my stove above MEDIUM when frying (just don't overload or crowd the pan)
***NEVER put cold liquid into a super hot cast iron skillet! (unless you want a new kitchen)
***Never try to cook in a cold pan.
***After cooking, wash the pan in hot water with a scrubby thing BEFORE you sit down to eat. set it on the warm stove to dry while you eat. When you wash the dinner plates, lube the pan and put it away.
It will last another 100 years.
