Abstract: An aluminum melting furnace apparatus of compact, thermally efficient configuration utilizing a silicon carbide plate member for covering the lower end of the combustion chamber which receives heat from a flat flame burner for uniformly heating the plate member for providing radiant heat to the melting chamber. An elongate narrow rectangular opening at one end of the combustion chamber directs flue gases under pressure toward a pre-heat hearth of a pre-heat chamber which is provided with an upwardly sloping roof with an exhaust opening at the high point thereof. The furnace is a clamshell furnace with a hinged cover having ceramic fiber insulation protected by the plate member from direct contact with molten particles of metal from the bath during melting.