It might, but the Lobel's grilling guide that came with the steaks does indeed say to add oil after searing, not before. Has anyone tried this method? All I know is that after reading all the Lobel's threads, I did not oil the steaks before putting them in my cast iron pan (no access to grill). While they were still fantastic, they did not develop a great crust...mainly because the s & p stuck to the cast iron. I don't know, maybe it wasn't hot enough. i did just as lobel suggested with sear then oil. i added little sugar to the salt and p[epper and did them in a non stick pan and they were perfect. i think as good as lugar's desperately wanted to grill them but the rain was torrential.