Abstract: An asphalt kettle having a heating chamber therein for the receipt of asphalt and a three-dimensional closure secured over the chamber. The side walls of the closure are provided with chute-like openings through which asphalt chunks may be loaded into the chamber and these openings are provided with hingedly mounted interior doors which normally assume a closed condition under the influence of gravity and/or the creation of a high pressure condition within the chamber. The closure may lift, within limits, in the event of an explosion in the chamber and a deflection skirt is provided to downwardly direct gas and debris in such event. An induction pipe is connected between the closure and a gas inductor in the stack for the kettle. The pipe is provided with a heat sink to prevent flash-back from the stack into the interior of the kettle chamber.