Abstract: In a melting furnace with weight-related control of the consumable electrode, the electrode mounting is disposed in a separate pressure chamber which has an inverted bottle-shaped configuration. The downwardly extending neck-like portion is passed sealingly through an opening in the cover plate of the melting chamber. The pressure chamber is suspended from a crossbeam which can be driven vertically by means of spindles. On the upper end of the pressure chamber there is provided a bellows whose upper edge is joined to the upper, tubular portion of the electrode holding rod, while a solid rod holding a current-carrying tube extends coaxially through the tubular portion and is hung from a frame which suspends the electrode holding rod and which is supported on the crossbeam by a sensor.