Pre-seasoned cast iron refers to cookware, usually cast iron, that has a coating of wax or vegetable oil applied to prevent rusting while it sits on store shelves or in the warehouse. This cookware is ready to use straight out of the box, and it is coated with a thin layer of polymerized oil that acts like plastic, creating a slippery coating called seasoning. Pre-seasoned cast iron pans are more convenient than unseasoned ones because they are already coated with a thin and consistent layer of seasoning, which can be difficult to achieve at home. However, once food starts to stick, youll need to season it again. To maintain the seasoning, it is important to preheat the cast iron pan for at least 10 minutes or so, rotating it every once in a while, or heat it up in a hot oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Cast iron has a high volumetric heat capacity, which means that once its hot, it stays hot, making it ideal for searing meat and cooking hash or pan-roasting chicken and vegetables.