My stuff is not all that old or fancy, but it everything is smooth and cooks like a dream. I've said it before and here it is again. I'm a heathen. Dirty cooked in cast iron is soaked with hot water, dawn, scrubbed clean, dried hot and then lightly oiled. Go ahead and hate me but it's my way and it works fine. Try it if you don't believe me. It's the smooth surface that's the deal IMHO.