Cast Iron Skillet

There's so much mystery around cast iron skillets. To soap or not to soap? What is seasoning? Why are they so damn heavy? But they're actually one of the best things you can buy for your kitchen. This one by Lodge is affordable, pre-seasoned, and will last forever. To clean it, just rinse with hot water, use a scrubber like this if necessary (no soap!), and dry it off. Afterwards, rub some oil on the surface to keep it non-stick and rust free.