And I would feel very deprived. A good cast-iron skillet, properly cared for, can last for generations. Once during a conversation with a friend, also an avid cook, I mentioned my preference for cast-iron. My friend, you see, had never heard of the seasoning process that is essential for cast-iron cookware. And to make a bad situation worse, she was attempting to clean it by scrubbing with cleanser.
Cast iron has a porous surface.
The seasoning process serves to fill and smooth the surface of the pan. Wash, rinse and dry the utensil. Grease the inside surface with Crisco or other solid shortening. A medium-light coating, as you would grease a cake pan, is sufficient. Remove, cool and store the pan.