Cooking with cast iron can be intimidating — not to mention heavy — but once you try it, it's easy to become a convert. I love my pan; it's great for making skillet breads or indoor grilling, and distributes heat incredibly evenly. Cast-iron pans can even help boost your iron intake.

But be warned: you can't treat cast iron like any old pot. To make sure it lasts as long as possible — basically, forever — you have to do some things differently. Before using your cast iron for the first time, you need to "season" it. This process will protect your pan's surface from moisture and rust. Find out how to care for cast iron.

1. First, wash the pan rigorously with soap and hot water and dry it completely with a towel. Then, coat the entire surface inside and out, plus the handle, with vegetable shortening such as Crisco.
2. If your cast iron is preseasoned, it will say so on the label and won't require breaking in.
3. When the pan is oiled, place it upside down in a 350°F oven for at least one hour; you might want to place aluminum foil at the bottom to catch any oil drippings. After an hour, turn the oven off but leave the cast-iron pan inside until it's completely cool.
4. If necessary, give the cooled pan another cleaning, without soap, to get rid of the excess oil. After drying, use paper towels to coat the surface with cooking oil before storing somewhere cool and dry. The oven is a great option.
5. Never wash your cast-iron pan with soap, put in a dishwasher,, or leave it soaking in the sink. The best method is to clean it with hot water using a stiff scrubber or brush. If there is food stuck to the surface, place some water in the skillet and boil the water on the stove for a few minutes.
6. Always dry your pans thoroughly, rather than letting them air-dry, to prevent rusting.

Source: Flickr User Duckwaddlequack