Abstract: A method is provided for substantially completely removing volatilizable and combustible impurities from the surface of metallic scrap comprising the steps of continuously depositing surface contaminated scrap onto the surface of a stream of molten metal, directly propelling the floating scrap along the molten surface for a time sufficient for the heat from the molten metal to effectuate substantially complete removal of the contaminants from the scrap and forcibly submerging the remaining decontaminated scrap into the molten metal stream. A system is also provided for removing impurities from the surface of scrap comprising a trough of molten metal, means for moving the molten metal through the trough, means for continuously depositing contaminated scrap onto the molten metal surface, means for propelling the floating scrap through the trough and means for forcibly submerging the remaining floating scrap into the molten metal after the contaminants are substantially completely removed.