Abstract: The invention provides a new stirring apparatus for stirring the liquid metal contents of a furnace, particularly the shallow furnaces used in the processing of aluminum and its alloys. The apparatus consists a reservoir separate from the furnace of relatively large horizontal cross-section and volume, into which a vaccuum draws metal from the furnace through a nozzle, the metal then being returned by gas pressure forcibly into the furnace through the nozzle in the form of a horizontally directed jet. The cycle is repeated at sufficiently close intervals to ensure that the furnace bath is quickly and effectively mixed. The nozzle directs the molten metal entering the reservoir tangentially to swirl the metal and reduce the accumulation of dross. The reservoir comprises a bottom static part including the nozzle and a readily removable top cover carrying heaters for heating the reservoir interior and the dross that deposits on the side wall to ease its removal.