The invention relates to a metallurgical plasma melting furnace used for the melting of metals and alloys wherein at least one auxiliary start-up burner for liquid or gaseous fuels is so arranged adjacent to each plasma burner that the hot combustion gases enter into the plasma melting furnace through the same opening in the sidewall of the furnace vessel and melt a crater into the charge material in front of the plasma burner. After the crater has reached a sufficient size, the plasma burners can be reliably operated industrially.