I like the FinishLine chain cleaning machine. I load it with mineral spirits or kerosene. The only time I remove a chain from a bike is when I replace it.

Al

I use Lestoil; not only does it clean it also lubricates.
But as Pigiron pointed out removal is the way to go.
It is the only way to really check chain wear as well.

It must be late, I totally just had a Silence of the Lambs flash "It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told."

I just use a Spin Doctor brush and Finish Line Multi Degreaser, works pretty well.

I always use a chain with a quick disconnect link like Wippermans Connex. Wipe with a rag, into mineral spirits, a first and second bath and blow off with compressed air. Then I immerse the chain in Prolink, allow it to drip off, wipe down with a clean rag and reinstall. I stopped using the on bike cleaners years ago as the can't easily be cleaned themselves.

Larry

Kerosene for those chains I don't use wax on. For the waxed ones, I just boil em for 10-15 minutes then a quick rinse in Simple Green

Thank you all for your excellent advise. I'll note all this down and see what works best for me. Thanks. I love the information available on this forum.

I add 'Bake' to the 'Shake':

After shaking/soaking/shaking in solvent (Simple Green 1:1 in a plastic family-sized peanut butter jar), I pour some of the solution into a metal mixing bowl & scrub the chain in there with a parts brush. After rinsing with water, I put the chain into the toaster oven for 30 mins on low to dry. If you take it out & reinstall on the bike while it's still warm, chain lube flows into the innner bits better (IMO). I shake & bake the cassette while I'm at it.

One product I'd urge you not to buy is nashbar citrus degreaser. I bought a bottle and found it to be little better than water, very weak and dilute. Many Nashbar branded products offer pretty good value, but this is a clear exception.