I just received a brand new heavy cast iron skillet. I know what the directions say but how would you season?

Rub it inside and out with a good vegetable oil. The oil shouldn't be pooled in the bottom of the pan but it should be fairly thick on the surface. Put the skillet in a hot *400 oven for 20 min or so, remove and rub it with more oil, back into the oven 20 min, repeat 4-5 times before you use the skillet for the first time.

The final time put it in the oven and turn the heat off, leave the skillet in there till everything is cool and rub it with a dry paper towel to get any excess oil. You don't want to store it with excess oil in the skillet or it will get rancid.

Each time you use it the skillet must be cleaned soon after you're done. Scrap off any excess food and scrub with hot soapy water - DO NOT EVER let water sit in the skillet. Cast iron is very porous, you want the skillet to absorb oil, not water. As soon as you are done scrubbing the skillet dry it with a towel, rub it with oil and put it in a hot oven. Let it cool and wipe out any excess oil.

Do this everytime and soon you will have a wonderfully seasoned skillet.

Follow their directions using olive oil. They know their product best, and want it to perform its best for you. Anything else would just be... what? What do you think?