Abstract: The proposed method for checking the state of the lining of a melting unit consists of measuring the electric parameters of equal portions of the lining, located along the perimeter of the melting unit. This is followed by determining the arithmetic mean and the maximum value of these parameters and comparing the two. The result of the comparison is indicative of the state of the lining. According to the invention, the device for checking the state of the lining comprises electrodes which are uniformly installed on the lining along the perimeter of the melting unit. The electrodes are connected to the inputs of an information unit, which provides information about the state of the lining, as well as to the inputs of a maximum value unit for determining the maximum value of a parameter being measured. One output of the maximum value unit is connected to the first input of a comparison unit for comparing the maximum value and the arithmetic mean of the parameter being measured.