Abstract: A molten steel ladle has a melt electrode in its side wall near its bottom so a DC arc can be formed with molten metal in the ladle for heating and stirring the metal, the ladle being also used for casting. The melt electrode is free from the ladle's casting nozzle and the outside of the ladle is free from projections extending beyond the ladle's trunions, so the ladle can be crane-carried in the usual manner.