Abstract: A furnace for melting metals includes a crucible, a direct current arc source and an induction coil powered by alternating current. The furnace is particularly useful for melting charges of highly reactive metals such as titanium, zirconium and their alloys without contaminating these charges. The direct current arc source melts generally from the inside out while the water-cooled induction coil serves to cool the crucible and form a skull along the crucible sidewall which protects the crucible from interacting with the molten metal. The induction coil is thus used for cooling as well as heating and stirring the melt, and helps control the thickness of the skull.