For me the leave it in place is better than the wash method.
When I first got my assignment in the engine lab (110 test cells) I watched the guy do this for 5-10 filters a day. He would cut the can open, circle cut the pleats off and lay that accordion on a layer of (many layers) of paper towels. Inlet side up (outside) of the filter paper. Then, saturate (once) the filter with mineral spirits, (stoddard solvent) and sit a piece of 1/2" x 4" x 8" steel bar on top to hold it to the paper below.
I do this in a rectangular baking pan, and then leave it for a couple of days. An initial visual inspection for gross issues is good enough to return the engine to service, but the filter element will be dry as a bone in 2-3 days. It does take a lot of paper towels though.
After final inspection, I wrap them in aluminum foil mark hrs etc and then store in an old checkbook box. JIC. The oil analysis report comes in 4 days so all is confirmed pretty quickly.