the best advice is to just use it. don't worry about hurting it. it's a chunk of iron. you can't hurt it. it does take some time to get used to though. finding the right mixture of fat/grease/oil in the beginning with the right amount of heat is different from what you're used to. most likely, you're skillet is too hot. i have an electric glass top that goes from 0-10. i cook most things on 3.5 or 4 unless i'm searing a steak.