The best way to clean your cast iron skillet is with something you already have in your kitchen.

For cast iron to be considered nonstick ... Thoroughly rinse and dry the skillet Step 4. Pour oil into the skillet (I use canola oil). Step 5. Using a paper towel or a soft rag, wipe the oil ...

Buff to remove any excess. 6. Put it away: Store the skillet in a dry place. Full Circle Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush Using soap, steel wool, or other abrasives is not the end of the world ...

Nothing's worse than a rusty cast iron pan. Luckily there's a common household item you can use to prevent your prized pan ...

As for carbon steel brands to buy, similar to stainless steel, you can buy direct from a restaurant-supply store. As long as you get a pretty thick pan, it's going to last you the rest of your life.

Cooking with cast iron sounds fancy, but it is all about care and consistency ... Stick to warm water and a soft brush for cleaning. Dry it immediately and rub on a thin layer of oil to prevent rust.

Now a regular at the monthly Antiques Faire, Affoumado has become a go-to Bay Area specialist in cookware restoration.

It's important to dry your cast iron immediately and thoroughly. The best way is to use heat from the stovetop or oven, which will dry your skillet from the inside out, but you can also use a dry rag.