Lodge L8CF3 Covered Chicken Fryer, Black - Pre-seasoned skillet is ready-to-use right out of the box. The black patina given to the cookware by the factory seasoning process is, in fact, vegetable oil that has been baked into a piece of cookware that has emerged from an individual sand mould. This coating of oil is a functional application and not a cosmetic application. The cookware is hanging as it rides through the electrostatic sprayer and commercial conveyor ovens at very high temperatures. This allows the oil to penetrate deeply into the pores of the iron which creates an easy release finish. As a result of this process, you may see a blister or bubble of oil at the southern-most point or at the end of the handle of the cookware piece. If visible, it will rub or flake off with your finger, leaving a brown spot. Dont worry, its not rust but a seasoned spot that is brown, indicative of the varnish stage of seasoning. As a matter of fact, this is the colour of home seasoned iron until it has been used several times. The brown spot will turn black with use.