I got some free heat last night ....I was cleaning off a really greasy transmission and I found the fastest way to get rid of thick grease is to soak it in laquer thinner and stand back .....light a match.
Then scrape it off as its burning and is real gooey, before it gets the metal too hot.
OH yea, when doing this ....pay mind where the plastic pieces are. and it works like a charm :D might have to go a few rounds.....to avoid getting too hot