What should I not do with my cast iron cookware?

• You should not put cold liquid into very hot cast iron because it can cause it to immediately crack.
  
  
• You should not store food - especially acidic foods - in your cast iron cookware.  Remove the food as soon as possible after cooking.
  
  
• Be very careful when cooking on an electric stove.  Electric heat sources provide a very concentrated, focused heat that can create hot spots on the cast iron and cause it to warp or crack.  It's best to slowly heat the cast iron cookware and keep the burner temperature set on medium or medium-low. 

• Unless you plan on re-seasoning your cast iron cookware, it's not a good idea to scrub it with soap or anything that may remove the seasoning.  If you are concerned about the health issue of not washing your cast iron cookware between uses, you can use a very small amount of soap and very lightly wash the interior surface.  If you do this, you will want to heat the pan and apply a light coat of oil after washing and it should probably be periodically re-seasoned.
  

Some of the obvious no-nos, but that are worth mentioning, are:

• Even though it may be very tempting at times, a cast iron skillet should not be used as an attention getter.  If used in this capacity, the user may not be home for a while to enjoy cooking and or eating meals cooked in your cast iron cookware.
  
  
• Your dutch oven or deep fry skillet should not be used as a kitty litter box.  You don't want to experience the unique odor and flavor if you later use it to cook.
  
  
• Although it is very pretty, you should not use cast iron cookware as a flower pot unless it is being permanently retired for that specific purpose or unless you really enjoy an earthy flavor to your food.
  
  
• Although it won't hurt it, it's probably not a good idea to use your wife's cast iron dutch oven or deep fry pan as an oil pan when changing the oil in your car or motorcycle.  The oil won't hurt it and it sure makes it nice and shiny, but next time your wife cooks with it she'll think you started up your motorcycle in the house (I can tell you about it if you're interested).

• A cast iron skillet is a pretty good make-shift shovel on a camping trip if you forgot to pack the real thing.  However, the dirt and rocks will damage the seasoning and you'll have to re-season it.