Strong carb cleaner will get the crust off then I do a matathon power wire brushing and if I can't find any links cracked I will mix up grease and 90wt royal purple gear oil and boil the chain in it hang the chain up so excess will drip back into the mix can that I boiled it in after it done dripping wipe off the excess and go for it.
Lots more work, but I'm well, Bob has a word for it, and the way I'm about doing things.
But I haven't had to pedal or push my bike yet have I Bob.
Norman