Abstract: A process of rolling rimming or semi-killed steel ingots to slabs, comprising removing an ingot from its mold before solidification of the center of the ingot; charging the ingot to a soaking pit and closing the pit; holding the ingot in the pit for the minimum time required to reach a condition wherein more than 85% of the ingot is solidified, the outer rim attains a temperature up to about 525 Fahrenheit degrees cooler than the ingot center and the remainder reaches a temperature at least as high as the desired rolling temperature; and rolling the ingot into a slab. Improved yield, metallurgical quality and minimum energy consumption are achieved.