Abstract: Metallic scrap contaminated with combustibles is melted in a reverberatory melting furnace having two communicating wells; one being an enclosed sidewell, which is the receiving well for scrap material during melting, and the other being an enclosed main holding well for molten metal. The main well has burner means to provide heat for melting the metal and treating the scrap material. Heat from molten metal flowing between the main well and the sidewell produces exhaust gases by vaporizing the combustibles of the scrap material. An external passage circulates the exhaust gases from the sidewell to the main well for incineration by the main well's burner means. The external passage has an eductor means which draws the exhaust gases from the sidewell and propels them towards the main well.