Method and Apparatus for Melting Metal

An apparatus comprising:

• a refractory structure defining a melting chamber having a closed roof, side walls including a side wall with a flue, an inclined hearth surface with a bottom edge level with the bottom of the melting chamber, and a port configured to drain molten metal downward from the bottom edge of the inclined hearth surface whereby a load of metal pieces can be melted on the inclined hearth surface without being immersed in a molten bath.

An apparatus comprising:

• a refractory structure defining a melting chamber with a closed roof, side walls including a side wall with a flue, and an inclined hearth surface;
• wherein the refractory structure further defines a charge opening and a shelf that is located between the charge opening and the inclined hearth surface, the shelf is configured to hold metal pieces in readiness for movement from the shelf onto the inclined hearth surface, and the shelf has an inner edge that is located above the inclined hearth surface in a position for metal pieces to fall from the shelf onto the inclined hearth surface upon being moved past the inner edge and
• wherein the shelf projects from a side wall above the inclined hearth surface to project at least partially across the inclined hearth surface.

(canceled)