Might make this the last "on-topic" post and then maybe a mod can lock the thread, as I think it's probably run its course:

The replacement pan is working well, but I made a neat discovery yesterday while using it.  I was cooking at a slightly higher temperature and the rice bran oil I was using started to coat the pan.  When I went to clean it a little later (hot water and sponge) it wasn't coming off too well.  So I sprinkled a tablespoon of baking soda onto the wet surface and "scrubbed" it with the baking soda (just using my fingers.  The soda sort of clumped together and made a nice little lump which I was able to rub over the affected areas).  It worked like magic - all the gunk lifted off immediately, and it gave the surface a nice slippery feel.  Washed out the leftover baking soda, seasoned with a little oil, and good as new.  No abrasive scratching, and no elbow grease needed.