Start by ensuring your cast iron skillet is clean and free from any dirt or rust. If necessary, gently scrub it with a non-metal brush and warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. If it has stubborn bits of food stuck on it, use a plastic scraper tool, never a metal one. Metal will remove the patina that may have been already built up.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your skillet upside down in the oven to allow any excess moisture to evaporate while preheating. Water is great for cleaning, but is not wanted when you go to add the grease that will season the inside of the pan.

Once the skillet has preheated for about 10 minutes, carefully remove it from the oven using oven mitts or a heat-resistant glove, apply a thin layer of bacon grease to the entire surface of the skillet, including the handle with a paper towel. I hold the paper towel with my main 3 fingers, dip in the grease, then spread all around. You only want a thin layer of oil. It should not be dripping. If you got too much the first time, just drip the excess bacon grease into your glass jar of leftover bacon grease.

Using a clean cloth or paper towel, gently wipe off any excess grease or oil from the entire pan. The goal is to create a thin, even coating on the skillet that does not drip off when turned upside down. Using only a thin layer is the better way to season as the excess will just burn off or drip off and be wasted. Less is more here in this situation!

Place the skillet back in the oven, right side up, on the middle rack and bake it for about an hour. This process polymerizes the bacon grease, creating a natural non-stick surface and promoting the formation of the pan's seasoning.

After an hour, turn off the oven and allow the skillet to cool inside the oven. Once it has reached room temperature, repeat steps 3 to 6 for additional layers of seasoning. Experts recommend applying at least three to four layers for optimal results.

To maintain your seasoned cast iron skillet, always clean it with hot water and a stiff brush after each use. I purchased mine from Lodge and it has done a great job cleaning my pans over and over. I only use this scrub brush for my cast iron and nothing else. Avoid using dish soap, as it can strip away the seasoning you have or have worked hard to establish. The only reason I would ever use dish soap is if I cook fish in the skillet. I immediately dry it and cover with a thin layer of bacon grease right away. Always dry the skillet thoroughly and apply a light coating of oil before storing it. Make sure you wipe out the excess oil before putting it away so you do not attract pests from the bacon grease.