Many years ago I bought a "Chain Mate Bicycle Chain Scrubber CM-1" (I still have it) - it sort of worked, but it was a bit messy - OK in an emergency if you don't have a chain-tool. The method I use these days is to remove the chain, and place it in a 1 lb margarine/butter tub (you know, the flat ones) and ¼ fill with Fantastik Orange de-greaser, put the lid on and shake, and leave to soak, shaking occasionally. While it's soaking, I clean the chain-rings and the cassette, and the derailleurs. Shake, swirl, perhaps attack some of the gunge with a toothbrush, and eventually rinse. If the chain is particularly dirty I might repeat this step with fresh degreaser. After the final rinsing, the chain will be "sqeaky clean". I use a hair-dryer to blow-dry the chain. Chain goes back on bike - lubricate chain - allow to soak - and finally wipe off excess lube.

I once tried giving a chain the melted-wax treatment (clean as above, then melt paraffin wax in water-bath, and soak chain in molten wax) - the result was an incredible clean, dry chain - I'm sure it worked, but I never really trusted it, so eventually I reverted to using more traditional lubricants - it looked just like a totally dry unlubricated chain… anyone else ever tried wax?

- Wil

PS - There is absolutely no need to use gasoline, kerosene, or diesel (especially indoors) - modern water-based de-greasers such as Fantastik Orange, or Simple Green are as effective, are not flammable, and don't stink up the place…