(Note: the following post contains affiliate links, so I may make a small % for any purchases made through these links)
The best method I've found to clean stainless steel pots and pans is to:
- Apply some All-Clad Cookware cleaner (can also use Barkeeper's friend, but I don't think it works quite as well) to the pot/pan
- Add an equal amount of water to turn the powder into a paste
- Use a Brillo Pad (or for the most stubborn stains, a stainless steel sponge), scrubbing in a circular motion, with the grain of the pan
You'll need...
All-Clad 00942 Cookware Cleaner and Polish, 12-Ounce
Brillo Basics Steel-wool Soap Pads
And in case you're interested, here's the cookware set I'm using at the moment: