Seasoning a Cast Iron Skillet

There's a lot of lore about seasoning cast iron. We asked Billie Hill, whose company, Lodge Manufacturing, has been making iron cookware since 1896, how to do it best. "Grease your pan with vegetable shortening inside and out," she replied. "Put it in a 300° oven for three hours, removing it several times, wiping it clean, and re-greasing it, so there are three coats inside and one outside. Your pot is now seasoned. Remember, never use soap to clean it. Wipe it clean, using salt as an abrasive."