Equipment
Seasoning (a Surface)
Polymerized oil layers baked onto cast iron or steel that create a non-stick, rust-resistant cooking surface.
Not to be confused with seasoning meat — seasoning a cooking surface means heating thin layers of oil past their smoke point so they polymerize into a hard, slick coating bonded to the metal. Cast iron pans, carbon steel woks, and flat-top griddles all rely on seasoning for performance. Each cook adds another layer.