I always use Bar Keepers friend. I get the pans slightly weight and sprinkle on Bar Keepers friend and rub in really well - make sure to get a good coating. Let it sit over night and wash in the morning with a brillo pad. Works pretty well. Also, I try to wash with bar keepers friend immediately after cooking to help prevent stains. http://beanafoodie.com/blog

I just give it a good scrubbing and call the pan "seasoned".

Don't judge.

I put some old cookie sheets in the oven and ran it through the self cleaning cycle. They came out looking brand new!

I'm with Briana E. :)

Running hot water over my pans for 10 minutes or so, and then scrubbing with BKF and a stainless steel sponge works for me. I think the hot water really helps loosen everything up, even when BKF alone hasn't helped in the past. I don't think you're really supposed to use such tough sponges on your cookware, so I don't make a habit of that part.

I'm just glad to know that other people's pans look like mine!

I don't worry about it. I use parchment or a silpat when I bake cookies, so that kind of "seasoning" isn't in my way.

Barkeeper's Friend is the way to go here.

This tip made my old muffin tins shine: http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/an-almost-effortless-way-to-clean-oven-racks/

Even though it's for oven racks, it worked wonders on my muffin tins with years of buildup. The tip works to strip cast iron too, then reseason (of course).

I'd wet the pan, then give it an ample dusting on the spot with baking soda. Let sit a nice long while--I'll leave it a day or so--then scrub off. Usually works for me.

I'm with DD Lizzy & Briana E on this one. I almost always use parchment or foil, which cuts down on mess/interference of old stains. The stains are a sign of use, which isn't a bad thing.

The only thing that I've found that works every time is Dawn Power Dissolver. This stuff is amazing - nothing is better. It's not only good on baking sheets but also stove top burners, grill grates and oven spills. But it's somewhat hard to locate. Supposedly Walmart stocks it but not in mine. You can order via Amazon if you don't see it in your local stores.

I've had a few cooking pots that have had a few spots like you describe. Eventually the spots wore off with use and Bar Keeper's Friend with each washing.

I prefer Cameo Aluminum powder. And/Or the S.O.S. pad. And elbow grease. You can also dot the spot with a liquid degreaser and lay a bit of plastic wrap over it, and let it sit overnight.

Totally agree, use a silpat or other silicone baking sheet, or parchment paper (or foil even) to line your pans for potential messes, such as this, and it'll keep the stain buildup to a minimum.

I would not sweat the staining, as long as it doesn't leach into your food later on, just let it be and chalk it up to evidence of use. :-)

I have never really worried about stains too much (I mostly use parchment anyway), but I have seen someone leave the stained pans in a garbage bag with a little bit of ammonia (overnight?). A light scrub after that will make your pans look practically new.

Baking soda and vinegar do the trick for any and all hard to get off baked on stains and does a wonder for making stainless steel shiny. I give a heavy dusting of baking soda followed by some liberal pouring of vinegar and let the fizzing do the work. For those really hard to get stains, let sit overnight and wash as normal. The naked on crud should flake off once dry. On occasion I have to do this process a few times. But it beats having to spend hours scrubbing.

This is the method I swear buy! I have tried barkeeper's friend, but didn't see much of a difference between the methods. I just used vinegar and baking soda to clean 40 years of gunk from an oven's hood fan vent and it came out sparkling afterwards! I'm not a clean freak, I use it to clean sheets after a particularly sticky trip in the oven

Like colonel_korn, I put mine in the oven on the self cleaning cycle. I also put my stove burners in there too and I end up with new looking pans and burners, as well as a clean oven.

Haha, I'm in the 'patina' group. I actually don't know anyone who doesn't own at least one of these lovely baking sheets:) However, it if bugs you, the ammonia trick works miracles. I've used it for years to clean my oven racks, drip pans & the outdoor grill rack and yes, the occasional burned pan which seemed beyond saving otherwise. (Thanks dad, for the great tip!)

Place the pan in a garbage bag with a small amount of ammonia (no more than a cup). Tie securely & leave overnight. Next day, open carefully away from your face. A quick wash & your pan will look good as new, no scrubbing required. I usually set the bag on the patio overnight & give it a quick rinse with the garden hose before returning to the kitchen to wash it. Not a requirely, just easier to handle that way.

Note: it's not necessary to cover the pan with the ammonia solution - it's the fumes that do the work.

that should read, not a *requirement*

I have had a lot of luck with making a paste with a bit of water and cream of tartar, leaving it on until it's almost dry, then wiping it off. Works on burnt-on food in pots and pans, too.

Liquid Cascade (or other dishwashing detergent). Comes right up. The powdered kind also takes yellow pit stains on white shirts

*off white shirts

I also use cascade or (other dishwashing detergent). I coat the areas that need to be scrubbed and let it sit. Sometimes I'll leave a little hot water in it too. After letting it sit, I scrub with a brillo pad. Requires some elbow grease, but it works wonders!