A steelmaking process is described in which solid sources of iron (e.g. scrap) are charged into a convertor equipped with tuyeres through which air, oxygen or mixtures thereof can be blown into the convertor.The process includes (1) a preheating phase in which carbon carriers (fuels) are burned in the convertor to produce hot combustion gases which pass upwardly through solid sources of iron, until the same is heated to an average temperature between about 1000.degree. F. and 1200.degree. C., (2) a melting phase during which the solid sources of iron are melted; and (3) a refining stage in which the melt is refined by oxygen blown into said melt in the usual way.