A head which is intended to be mounted on a ladle, is provided inside with refractory material. At least one burner for liquid or gaseous fuel and oxygen gas for heating the melt in the ladle is disposed in the head. The head is provided with retainer means for the burner, by the intermediary of which the burner is axially shiftably disposed in relation to the surface of the melt bath and is rotatably disposed in relation to the vertical line of the burner to the surface of the melt bath. Depending upon the burner output, the burner is adjustable so as to emit the best possible heat transfer from the burner flame to the melt bath and, at the same time, to cause the slightest possible chemical action on the melt bath.