I've been waxing chains for years, long before wax blends became mainstream, using a basic second-hand slow cooker that worked surprisingly well. After becoming a fan of Silca's Secret Chain Hot Melt Wax, I decided to try their full waxing system.
While the price is hard to justify - especially when a cheap slow cooker does 95% of the job - the one standout feature that makes a difference is the temperature control. The Silca pot maintains a noticeably lower, more consistent temperature, resulting in thicker wax coverage that doesn't drip off as quickly when the chain is hung to dry.
That said, the pot is smaller than expected, and the included plastic lid feels cheap (thankfully, my old glass lid fits perfectly). In the end, this is a luxury item: unnecessary, but nice to have.
If you're particular about your setup and have the budget, the Silca system is worth considering for its control and consistency. Otherwise, a basic slow cooker will serve you just fine.
I had been considering using a wax system for some time, but always hesitated thinking it was 'too complicated.' Was I wrong! Waxing has become a standard on my deep-cleaning days and the Silca system makes it easy. Prepping the wax, treating the chain and finishing is about a 40 minute cycle - just enough time for all the other cleaning and bike maintenance. Best of all, no more greasy/gritty chain - a simple wipe after each ride is all that's needed. Smoother and quieter operation too!
Soooo... I wanted to do more maintenance :-) I bought a small slow cooker and a bluetooth thermometer that calls me when the wax hits 200degrees. Getting the factory grease off the chain was a hassle, but mineral spirits did the job. I did 4 chains at once so I'm good for about 1200 to 1600 miles. I got the re-usable master links in gold - because I could. I can really feel the difference of saving 3 watts due to the wax (that was humor in case you missed it). Seriously - the chain is dirt free after over 100 miles and a simple wipe keeps it clean. Highly recommended to improve your personal relationship with your drive train.
I'm completely new to using wax on the chain. I got interested in it because I got tired of cleaning the desert and road grit from my chain every time I ride. With the wax, the chain stays clean, I just have to throw it in the wax pot every 300 miles or so. The company has very nice instructional videos, which made it easy to do without any prior experience. The wax pot is pretty low powered, so don't expect to have melted wax 10 minutes after you turn it on. On the day I know I'm going to cross my 300 mile threshold, I just get the wax pot warming before I ride and the pot is ready to when I'm back. I use the reusable quick links, which makes it a pretty easy process to get the chain on and off.
