designs of crucible 15 with or without launder 19 the passage out of crucible 15 is also accomplished in an inert atmosphere via inert gas feed 23 tundish 25 is a funnel shaped vessel into which the molten metal is poured the purpose of a tundish is to allow the molten metal to reach a desired height with a desired head pressure so that there is a constant pour rate it has been discovered that a slower rate precluded bubbles from forming in the melt the height can be adjusted so there is no splashing of the metal into the molds flowing molten alloy 27 pours into waffle ingot molds 29 carried by conveyor belt 31 also in an inert atmosphere allowing the molten alloy to drain down from the bottom of crucible 15 eliminates a major problem in prior art furnaces in that the dross that accumulates on the top of the molten pool of alloy remains at the top and does not have to be removed until crucible 15 is cleaned prior to recharging with more alloy also the dew point can be monitored further preventing undesirable gas from contacting the sensitive elements of the alloy thus preserving the low hydrogen oxygen content of the master alloy for the two embodiments as discussed herein a hygrometer with a computer can be used for measuring the amount of moisture and therefore hydrogen in the gases both at the source for 13 and 23 and within chamber 11 as a function of time best results are obtained when the dew point is u2212 110 u00b0 f u2212 78 9 u00b0 c or lower a commercially available monitor such as an alscan.