The invention relates to an electrode system for melting and stirring and also for temperature control in metallurgical vessels. To achieve optimum energy utilization with minimal gas consumption, the electrode system comprises, according to the invention, a central electrode and an outer electrode (10, 11) which are each attached to a height adjustment (12) and are connected to a common electric power source (16), to form an electric arc between central electrode and melt below the surface of the melt bath, and an annular space (23) between central electrode and outer electrode (10, 11), which is connected to a gas source (25), with the gas system being designed in such a way that finely particulate additives can also be charged into the melt.