Whether you’re frying eggs and bacon on the stove top or baking a crispy batch of cornbread, cast iron cookware performs better for a tastier dish. And the metal’s durability makes for a great heirloom piece or thrift store find. But caring for a cast iron pan requires a few extra steps, and first up, you’ll want to season it.

This important step protects the metal against rust and deteriorating damage. Season your cast iron pan right, and every time you cook with it, you’ll build a lasting surface.

In this video, we walk you through the steps to cleaning a worn cast iron pan and seasoning it. It’s not difficult at all to return cast iron cookware to perfect usability!