Abstract: A gas flushing apparatus for use with a metallurgical vessel is disclosed which is operable to allow for adjustment of the flow rate of gas through the gas flushing apparatus into molten metal contained in the metallurgical vessel. Such adjustability is provided according to the invention by providing at least a pair of discrete gas-permeable portions extending through the gas flushing apparatus from a bottom end thereof to a top end thereof. The discrete gas-permeable portions are individually connected to a gas supply by a gas distribution mechanism. The gas distribution mechanism is operable to distribute gas from a supply line to either or both of the at least two discrete gas-permeable portions of the gas flushing apparatus. The gas-permeable portions can be formed with cross sections which differ in shape from the lower portions of the gas-permeable portions to the upper portions thereof. Also, the two discrete gas-permeable portions can be provided with differing cross sectional areas.