Like you I have read gobs of stuff on chain cleaning. Some knowledgeable people even say that if you can't get the chain off the bike and really clean it you should not even bother. Having said that, here are some important points. Go with diesel or kerosene but not gas if you are determined to go that route. Gas is a bit too dangerous even outdoors. If you use Simple Green, don't leave the chain in it for extended periods of time (even Simple Green manufacturer says so). I clean the original "crap" off the chain (Wippermann nickle plated) with keorsene before first use. Then about every 600 miles I take my chain off the bike, clean it with Pedros biodegradable cleaner, rinse with water, let it completely dry and then lube with Pro Link. I can get up to 4000 miles before wear is detecable with a Park chain checker. But I am lucky and live in an area where I never have to ride in foul weather and the comensurate gunk never gets in the drive train. So there is yet another PERFECT way to clean the chain.