Abstract: A lead melting furnace or pot, large enough to provide molten metal for 6-18 grid casting machines, is isolated from the casting machines in a separate, remote, room or chamber. The automatically fed, electrically heated, covered and insulated furnace is positioned at a level above the inlet to the casting machines, so that the molten metal is gravity fed from one or more bottom discharge outlets whereby conventional pumps are eliminated and agitation of the molten metal in the furnace minimized. An impedance heated feed line system connects the furnace and casting machines and elevates the molten metal from the relatively low 700.degree.-800.degree. F. temperatures achieved in the furnace to the required 850.degree.-1100.degree. F. casting temperature. A specially designed exhaust hood covers each group (preferably 3) of casting machines to exhaust contaminated gases and simultaneously provide make-up air to minimize the effect on the casting room atmosphere.