Abstract: Melting and holding furnace in which melting (1) and holding (2) chambers are separated from one another, and are connected via openings (6). The holding chamber is designed to be deeper in order to receive the melt which flows out of the melting chamber (1). The chimney (18) through which the burnt gases produced during heating of the melting chamber (1) pass is arranged in the cover (14) of the holding chamber (2), namely at the end of the holding chamber (2) opposite to the openings (6).