Specialty metals and alloys are melted in a crucible (10) typically holding no more than about 100 lbs. of metal and disposed in a furnace (2) filled with an inert gas and subjected to a vacuum in the range of about 5 % to 32 % of atmospheric pressure. The vacuum permits in the initiation and formation of long electric discharge arcs between the electrode (48) and the inside of the crucible (10) to provide enough space for charging of the crucible (10) with fresh metal. A skull (96) forming along the inside surfaces of the crucible (10) is lifted off the crucible surfaces (26) after each pour with a closure plate (32) that is pushed from below into the drain hole (30). The skull (96) is then melted with the plasma torch (44) so that resulting melted metal collecting in the drain forms a drain plug (94) upon solidification.