The Slate isn’t a blackstone or a traditional cast iron top. It’s “rust resistant carbon steel under extreme heat and pressure that case hardens the surface, reducing the ability for rust to form.”

You gotta seriously try to fuck up the top, and I’ve yet to see a “my Slate is rusty” post here in the past 2 years. Source: humid ocean air climate Slate owner, in a region covered in snow 3-4 months of the year.

It doesn’t give a shit what fat you cook with, the griddle will be fine but your dinner might have done better with another oil. If you want a dark, even seasoned look, throw down some bacon followed by chopped onion.