There's a thread under Cookware and Accessories about this, jmusic, but I can't remember the title of it (my brain is still out with kitchenelf's brain having drinks somewhere). I seem to remember MichaelinFtW mentioning that Barkeeper's Friend is a good cleaning agent for all the burned-on gunk.
It would help to know what your pots and pans are made of - SS, nonstick, etc.