Updated Oct 21, 2026· 25 min read

Our Top Picks

  1. Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit6kg8.5 x 8.5 x 12.6 inches
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  2. VEVOR 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit6KG19.4 pounds
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  3. Nelyrho 3KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit3kg14 Pounds
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  4. VEVOR 3kg Electric Melting Furnace 1350W Electric Metal10.63 x 9.84 x 14.96 inches
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  5. VEVOR 8KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit8KG12.8 x 11.81 x 13.78 inches19.8 pounds
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  6. Nelyrho 25KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit High Capacity19.88 x 18.11 x 18.11 inches
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If you want one furnace that handles gold, silver, copper and a sensible amount of aluminum without stretching the budget, the Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit is the best metal melting furnace for most home shops. Its listing rates it to 2,500°F, it arrives as a complete kit with a crucible and tongs, and a 6 kg crucible covers everything from a few ounces of scrap gold to a small copper or bronze pour. Choose the VEVOR 6KG propane kit instead if you want the lowest entry price in the same capacity class, the Nelyrho 25KG if you are processing bulk scrap, or an 1800 W electric furnace such as the HOZYZO PID unit if you work indoors on small gold and silver loads and want repeatable temperature control rather than raw melting speed. Everything below is organized around the four numbers that actually decide a purchase: melting capacity, maximum temperature, fuel type, and crucible size.

Top 3 Picks

Best overall: Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit

The 6 kg class is the sweet spot for a home shop, because it is big enough to melt a full crucible of silver or copper yet small enough to heat up quickly and run off a standard barbecue tank. Nelyrho’s version pairs that capacity with a stated 2,500°F ceiling and a stainless-steel body, which is more temperature headroom than gold, silver or copper strictly require. It suits someone who wants one furnace to do precious metals, copper alloys and occasional aluminum without buying twice.

Best budget: VEVOR 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit

VEVOR’s 6KG kit sits in the same capacity bracket as the Nelyrho above at the lowest price tier of the group. If your goal is to find out whether home melting is for you, this is the least expensive way to get a working propane furnace, a crucible and tongs in one box. The trade-off is a plainer kit with fewer accessories and a more utilitarian finish.

Best premium: Nelyrho 25KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit

At 25 kg rated capacity, this is a production-scale furnace rather than a hobby unit, and it is priced accordingly. It suits scrap processors, small foundries, and anyone melting down large volumes of copper, brass or aluminum on a regular schedule. You need the space, the ventilation and the propane supply to feed it, so it is a poor first furnace for a beginner working on a bench.

Best for indoor precious-metal work: HOZYZO 1800W Electric Melting Furnace Kit

Electric resistance furnaces trade raw top-end temperature for control. The HOZYZO unit’s 1800 W element and PID digital controller make it the better pick for repeatable gold and silver melts in a garage or workshop, with no flame, no propane tank and no carbon monoxide risk. It is slower than propane and will not comfortably handle copper or steel.

Quick Comparison

The table below covers every furnace in this roundup. Where a listing states an exact maximum temperature it is quoted directly; where it does not, the figure shown is the typical class value for that fuel and burner type, which is why the column is labelled as a class rather than a specification.

Product Best for Fuel / power Rated crucible capacity (gold-equivalent) Max temperature (stated or class) Price tier
Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit Most home shops; gold, silver, copper Propane, single burner 6 kg 2,500°F (stated) Mid-range
VEVOR 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit First furnace on a tight budget Propane, single burner 6 kg ~2,500°F class Budget
Nelyrho 3KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit Beginners; small gold and silver melts Propane, single burner 3 kg ~2,500°F class Mid-range
VEVOR 3kg Electric Melting Furnace 1350W Indoor gold and silver work, no flame 1,350 W electric 3 kg ~2,000-2,200°F class Mid-range
VEVOR 8KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit Mid-size scrap melts and forge work Propane, single burner 8 kg ~2,500°F class Budget
Nelyrho 25KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit High-volume scrap and small production Propane, large burner 25 kg ~2,500°F class Premium
VEVOR 16KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Dual Burner Fast large melts and continuous pours Propane, dual burner 16 kg ~2,500-2,900°F class Premium
VEVOR 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit All-round shop furnace Propane, single burner 12 kg ~2,500°F class Mid-range
AMCJJ 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit Budget route into the 12 kg class Propane, single burner 12 kg ~2,500°F class Budget
Outstar 12KG Metal Melting Furnace Kit Mixed precious-metal and aluminum work Propane, single burner 12 kg ~2,500°F class Budget
HOZYZO 1800W Electric Melting Furnace Kit Precise, repeatable small melts 1,800 W electric, PID control 3 kg ~2,000-2,200°F class Premium
GEKUVIX Electric Furnace for Melting Metal, 1800W Clean indoor casting with digital control 1,800 W electric, digital control 3 kg graphite crucible included ~2,000-2,200°F class Premium

How We Chose

This roundup is built from manufacturer specifications, published capacity and temperature ratings, kit contents, and the physics of the metals themselves, not from hands-on trials. Every furnace here was screened against four criteria. First, does the stated or class maximum temperature actually clear the melting point of the metals the unit is marketed for, with enough margin to pour? A furnace that reaches the melting point but not a useful pouring temperature is a bad buy regardless of price. Second, does the capacity rating match the buyer’s realistic load, remembering that crucible ratings are normally quoted for gold and translate poorly to light metals like aluminum? Third, does the kit include the accessories you cannot safely improvise, specifically a matched crucible and tongs? Fourth, is there a sensible upgrade path, so a buyer who outgrows the furnace can move up a capacity class rather than switching fuel types entirely? Price tiers reflect general market positioning and were used to group products, not to rank them, because prices on these kits move constantly.

1. Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best for Most Home Shops

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Nelyrho 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, 2500°F Stainless Steel Smelter

The Nelyrho 6KG is the furnace most people should start with if they have a bench, a driveway or a covered outdoor area and no strong preference between fuels. It is a single-burner propane unit with a 6 kg rated crucible capacity and a stated 2,500°F maximum, which is well clear of the pouring temperatures for gold, silver, copper and their alloys. It suits a hobbyist who wants to refine scrap jewelry, cast ingots, or run small bronze pours without committing to a permanent installation. It also suits a small jewelry or silversmithing operation that needs an affordable melting station rather than a programmable furnace.

  • Fuel: propane, single forced-air burner, standard regulator hose to a barbecue tank
  • Rated capacity: 6 kg (gold-equivalent), so roughly 3.3 kg of silver or 2.8 kg of copper by volume
  • Stated maximum temperature: 2,500°F, comfortably above the 1,948°F melting point of gold
  • Body: stainless steel shell over a ceramic-fiber refractory lining
  • Kit contents: furnace body, graphite crucible, tongs and burner assembly
  • Metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze; aluminum in small volumes with a dedicated crucible

The strengths here are the capacity-to-price ratio and the temperature headroom. A 6 kg crucible is genuinely useful: it is big enough that you are not pouring a one-ounce button every time you fire up, but small enough that a single burner brings it to temperature in a reasonable window rather than burning through half a tank. The stainless shell resists the rust that plagues bare steel hobby forges stored outdoors, and the included crucible and tongs mean you can run your first melt the day it arrives, assuming you cure the lining first.

Pros

  • Stated 2,500°F ceiling clears gold, silver, copper and bronze pouring temperatures with margin
  • 6 kg capacity is a genuine all-rounder rather than a token size
  • Ships as a complete kit, so no separate crucible or tong purchase
  • Stainless body holds up better than painted steel in a damp garage or shed

Cons

  • Single burner means larger copper loads take longer than a dual-burner furnace would manage
  • Propane must be run outdoors or in very well-ventilated space; carbon monoxide is a real hazard
  • The ceramic-fiber lining is a consumable and will need re-coating over time
  • No digital temperature control, so you judge heat by colour and experience rather than a readout

Compared with the VEVOR 6KG kit, the nearest alternative in this list, the Nelyrho asks a mid-range price for a stainless body and a slightly more finished package, while the VEVOR delivers the same capacity class at budget pricing with a more basic finish. If you melt once a month and want the lowest possible entry cost, the VEVOR makes more sense. If this is a long-term tool that will live outdoors and be used regularly, the Nelyrho’s shell and kit completeness justify the step up. Against the Nelyrho 3KG, the 6KG is the better long-term buy for anyone who expects to move beyond small jewelry work, because the 3KG will feel limiting the first time you want to pour a decent-sized copper ingot.

2. VEVOR 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best Budget Entry Into the 6 kg Class

VEVOR 6KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Large Capacity Foundry Home Kilns, Blacksmithing Forge with Crucible & Tongs Kiln, Stainless Steel, for Metal Scrap Recycle, Gold Copper Silver Casting

The VEVOR 6KG is the cheapest way in this list to get a working propane furnace with a crucible and tongs, in the same capacity class as the best overall pick. It suits a first-time buyer who is not yet sure how often they will melt, a student working on a casting project, or anyone who wants a spare furnace for a second location. It also suits buyers who already own better tongs, gloves and a crucible and simply need the furnace body and burner.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner, regulator and hose to a standard tank
  • Rated capacity: 6 kg gold-equivalent
  • Maximum temperature: roughly the 2,500°F class typical of single-burner propane units
  • Kit contents: furnace body, crucible, tongs
  • Metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze; small aluminum melts
  • Build: painted or coated steel shell over ceramic-fiber lining

The value proposition is straightforward: you are buying capacity and function, not finish. VEVOR builds these kits to a price, and the difference shows up in details like coating quality, hardware, and how neatly the burner mounts. None of that stops the furnace from melting gold or silver, and the 6 kg class is the same size bracket you would pay mid-range money for elsewhere. For someone whose main uncertainty is whether they will stick with the hobby, that is exactly the right trade.

Pros

  • Lowest-cost route into the 6 kg capacity class
  • Includes the two accessories you cannot safely substitute: a crucible and tongs
  • Same working capacity as mid-range 6 kg furnaces, so no compromise on load size
  • Cheap enough to keep as a dedicated aluminum or scrap furnace alongside a better unit

Cons

  • Finish and hardware are more utilitarian than mid-range competitors
  • Shell may not resist damp storage as well as a stainless body
  • Included tongs are basic; most users upgrade them within a few melts
  • No stated temperature figure on the listing, so you rely on class expectations rather than a published number

Against the Nelyrho 6KG, this is the same capacity for less money and a shorter service life if the furnace lives somewhere humid. The decision is simple: budget first, or durability first. Against the VEVOR 8KG, the step up buys a larger crucible for roughly one capacity tier more, which matters if you plan to melt scrap in volume. For occasional jewelry-scale work, the 6KG is the smarter buy because a larger furnace on the same single burner takes longer to reach temperature for a load you were never going to fill anyway.

3. Nelyrho 3KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best for Beginners and Small Gold and Silver Melts

Nelyrho 3KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Beginner Smelter Set

The Nelyrho 3KG is aimed squarely at the first-time smelter. A 3 kg gold-equivalent crucible is more than enough for scrap jewelry, silver rounds, small ingots and the odd gold button, and the smaller chamber heats faster and burns less propane per session than a 6 kg or 12 kg unit. It suits a jeweler or hobbyist working in ounces rather than pounds, someone in a small outdoor space, and anyone who wants the beginner-friendly version of the Nelyrho kit with the same stainless construction and 2,500°F class performance.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner, standard tank connection
  • Rated capacity: 3 kg gold-equivalent, roughly 1.6 kg of silver or 1.4 kg of copper by volume
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class
  • Body: stainless steel shell with ceramic-fiber refractory lining
  • Kit contents: furnace, graphite crucible, tongs, burner
  • Metals: gold, silver, copper in small loads; not intended for bulk aluminum

The main advantage is efficiency. A smaller chamber reaches working temperature faster, which means shorter sessions and less fuel per melt. For someone melting 200 g of sterling scrap, a 25 kg furnace is absurd overkill, and a 3 kg unit will do the job in a fraction of the warm-up time. The 3 kg crucible also handles better: it is lighter, easier to grip with tongs, and less intimidating to pour from when you are still learning.

Pros

  • Fast heat-up and lower propane consumption per session than larger furnaces
  • Light crucible that is easier to control during a pour
  • Stainless body consistent with the rest of the Nelyrho range
  • Genuinely adequate for jewelry-scale gold and silver work

Cons

  • Will feel restrictive the first time you want to melt a large copper or bronze load
  • Aluminum capacity is very limited once you account for its low density
  • No temperature readout or control
  • Cost per kilogram of capacity is worse than the 6 kg class

Compared with the Nelyrho 6KG, this is the same furnace concept shrunk down: faster and cheaper to run per session, but capped at half the load. Buy the 3KG if you know your work stays in the tens or low hundreds of grams. Buy the 6KG if you want room to grow, because the price difference is small relative to the frustration of a full crucible. Against the VEVOR 6KG budget kit, the Nelyrho 3KG costs more per kilogram of capacity but gives you a stainless shell and a smaller, faster-heating chamber that suits precision work better.

4. VEVOR 3kg Electric Melting Furnace 1350W – Best for Indoor Gold and Silver Work

VEVOR 3kg Electric Melting Furnace 1350W Electric Metal Smelter Foundry

The VEVOR 3kg electric furnace is the pick for anyone who cannot or will not run an open flame. At 1,350 W it draws roughly 11.25 A at 120 V, which means it fits within the continuous-load limits of an ordinary 15 A household circuit, and it produces no combustion gases. It suits a jeweler working in a garage, a hobbyist in a rented space with no outdoor area, and anyone who wants to melt silver or gold without managing a propane tank.

  • Power: 1,350 W electric resistance, roughly 11.25 A at 120 V
  • Rated capacity: 3 kg class graphite crucible
  • Maximum temperature: typically the 2,000-2,200°F class for this wattage
  • Metals: gold, silver, and low-melting alloys; copper is marginal, aluminum is easy
  • Setup: benchtop or floor unit, plug-in, no fuel handling
  • Price tier: mid-range

The advantage is repeatability and convenience. There is no burner to tune, no tank to refill, and no wind to disturb your flame. You set it going and wait. The disadvantage is the ceiling: at roughly 2,000-2,200°F, this class of furnace has enough headroom for gold and silver but only just enough for copper, whose melting point is 1,984°F, leaving very little margin for a clean pour. Copper and bronze are better served by propane.

Pros

  • No flame, no propane tank, no carbon monoxide risk
  • Fits a standard 15 A circuit within continuous-load guidance
  • Clean, quiet operation that suits a garage or workshop bench
  • Consistent heat without burner tuning or wind interference

Cons

  • Lower temperature ceiling than propane, so copper is a stretch
  • Slower to reach working temperature than a propane furnace
  • Heating elements are a consumable that will eventually need replacing
  • 3 kg capacity limits you to smaller loads

Against the Nelyrho 3KG propane kit, this is a straight fuel trade: the propane unit is faster and hotter, the electric unit is cleaner and safer indoors. If your work is gold and silver in small quantities and your space is enclosed, electric wins. Against the HOZYZO 1800W PID furnace, the VEVOR is cheaper but lacks digital control, so you lose the ability to set and repeat an exact temperature. For one-off melts that difference is minor; for production casting where consistency matters, it is not.

5. VEVOR 8KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best for Mid-Size Scrap and Forge Work

VEVOR 8KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Gas Metal Smelting Kit, Foundry Home Kiln with Crucible, Tongs, Wooden Handle, Forge Casting Tool for Gold Silver Copper Aluminum Metal Recycle

The VEVOR 8KG sits between the entry-level 6 kg class and the larger 12 kg units, and it is the practical choice for someone melting scrap in meaningful quantities without wanting a floor-standing monster. It also doubles as a small blacksmithing forge, which broadens its appeal beyond metal casting. It suits a hobbyist processing a bucket of copper scrap, a knife maker heat-treating small parts, and anyone who wants a bit more crucible room than a 6 kg unit provides at budget pricing.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner
  • Rated capacity: 8 kg gold-equivalent
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class
  • Kit contents: furnace body, crucible, tongs, burner assembly
  • Dual use: melting furnace and small forge for heat-treating and basic forging
  • Price tier: budget

Eight kilograms is a useful middle step because it takes a noticeably bigger crucible than the 6 kg class without demanding the fuel supply and floor space of a 16 kg or 25 kg furnace. The forge capability is the real differentiator: with the crucible removed, the chamber can hold small workpieces for heat treatment, which means one purchase covers two jobs. That makes it a strong value pick for a workshop that does both.

Pros

  • Larger crucible than the 6 kg class at budget pricing
  • Doubles as a small forge for heat-treating and light forging
  • Manageable on a single standard propane tank
  • Reasonable middle ground for scrap processing

Cons

  • Single burner struggles to heat a full 8 kg load quickly
  • Budget finish and hardware, as expected at this tier
  • Larger chamber burns more propane per session than a 3 kg or 6 kg unit
  • Not a true production furnace despite the bigger number

Against the VEVOR 6KG, this buys two kilograms of extra capacity and forge capability for a small price step, which is usually worth taking if you have any interest in heat-treating. Against the VEVOR 12KG, the 8KG is lighter, cheaper and easier to move, but the 12 kg class is the point where a single burner starts to feel properly matched to the crucible. If you plan to melt regularly rather than occasionally, skip to 12 kg; if you want one versatile budget unit, the 8KG is the better fit.

6. Nelyrho 25KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best for High-Volume Scrap and Small Production

Nelyrho 25KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit High Capacity Foundry Furnace

The Nelyrho 25KG is a production-scale furnace. Twenty-five kilograms of gold-equivalent capacity translates to roughly 13.6 kg of silver or 11.6 kg of copper by volume, which is more metal than most hobbyists will ever melt in one session. It suits scrap processors, small foundries, and workshops running regular pours of copper alloys or aluminum. It is not a beginner’s furnace and not a benchtop tool.

  • Fuel: propane, large burner sized for the chamber
  • Rated capacity: 25 kg gold-equivalent, roughly 13.6 kg silver or 11.6 kg copper by volume
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class
  • Body: heavy-duty shell over a thick refractory lining
  • Kit contents: furnace, large crucible, tongs, burner assembly
  • Price tier: premium

The case for this furnace is throughput. When you are melting down kilos of copper wire, brass fittings or scrap aluminum, small furnaces force you into repeated sessions, each with its own warm-up cost in fuel and time. A 25 kg chamber lets you consolidate that work. It also holds temperature better once it is hot, because the thermal mass is larger and less sensitive to opening the lid.

Pros

  • Enormous capacity that consolidates many small melts into one session
  • Heavy refractory lining holds heat well and tolerates repeated cycling
  • Scales to genuine small-production work rather than hobby volumes
  • Fewer sessions means less total fuel and less handling of hot crucibles

Cons

  • Long warm-up times and high propane consumption per session
  • Requires substantial outdoor space and serious ventilation
  • Large crucibles full of molten metal are genuinely dangerous to handle alone
  • Premium price that only makes sense if you will actually fill it

Against the VEVOR 16KG dual-burner, the choice comes down to capacity versus speed. The 25KG Nelyrho holds more, but the dual-burner VEVOR brings a large load to temperature faster because two burners are heating the chamber. If your bottleneck is total volume per week, take the 25KG. If your bottleneck is how long each melt takes, take the dual burner. Against the 12 kg class furnaces, the 25KG is a different category of tool entirely, and buyers should not step up to it until they have hit the ceiling of a 12 kg unit in practice.

7. VEVOR 16KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Dual Burner – Best for Fast Large Melts

VEVOR 16KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit, Gas Metal Smelting Kit, Dual Burner Foundry Home Kiln with Crucibles and Tongs, Forge Casting Tool for Gold Silver Copper Aluminum Metal Recycle

The VEVOR 16KG dual-burner kit is the fastest large-capacity option in this list. Two burners heating the same chamber cut the time to reach working temperature compared with a single-burner furnace of similar size, which matters when you are pouring copper or bronze in volume. It suits a workshop that runs regular large melts, a casting hobbyist who is tired of waiting, and anyone whose scrap pile has outgrown a 12 kg furnace.

  • Fuel: propane, dual burner
  • Rated capacity: 16 kg gold-equivalent
  • Maximum temperature: typically the 2,500-2,900°F class with two burners running
  • Kit contents: furnace body, crucibles, tongs, burner assemblies
  • Metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum
  • Price tier: premium

The dual-burner design is the whole point. Melting is a race between heat input and heat loss through the lining, and doubling the burners shifts that balance decisively in your favour. The higher temperature class also opens up alloys that single-burner budget furnaces struggle with, including some bronzes and higher-copper brasses. The cost is fuel consumption: two burners drink propane roughly twice as fast, so a session costs more even though it takes less time.

Pros

  • Fastest heat-up of any propane furnace in this roundup
  • Higher temperature class suited to copper-rich alloys
  • 16 kg capacity covers serious scrap processing
  • Multiple crucibles included, useful for keeping metals separate

Cons

  • Burns propane quickly; sessions are short but expensive
  • Requires a tank with adequate flow rate for two burners
  • Heavy and bulky, effectively a fixed installation
  • More burner hardware means more to tune and maintain

Against the Nelyrho 25KG, this is a speed-versus-volume decision: the VEVOR heats faster, the Nelyrho holds more. Against the VEVOR 12KG single-burner, the dual-burner 16KG is a clear upgrade for anyone whose complaint is waiting, and the extra four kilograms of capacity is a bonus rather than the main reason to buy. If you only melt gold and silver, neither of these is the right purchase, because you will never use the capacity and you will pay for fuel you do not need.

8. VEVOR 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best All-Round Shop Furnace

VEVOR 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit Large Capacity Foundry Home, Blacksmithing Forge with Crucible & Tongs Kiln, Stainless Steel Smelter, for Metal Scrap Recycle, Gold Copper Silver Casting

The VEVOR 12KG is the largest single-burner furnace that still feels well matched to its burner. Twelve kilograms of gold-equivalent capacity is enough for serious scrap work, copper ingots and aluminum casting, while a single burner keeps fuel consumption and tank requirements manageable. It suits a home shop that melts regularly across several metals, and it is a sensible stopping point for anyone who does not want a production-scale installation.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner
  • Rated capacity: 12 kg gold-equivalent, roughly 6.5 kg silver or 5.6 kg copper by volume
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class
  • Kit contents: furnace body, crucible, tongs, burner
  • Dual use: melts metal and works as a blacksmithing forge
  • Price tier: mid-range

Twelve kilograms is where a home furnace stops being a novelty and starts being a tool. You can melt down a meaningful pile of copper fittings or a batch of aluminum castings in a single session, pour several ingots, and still run the whole thing off one barbecue tank. The forge capability adds heat-treating and basic forging to the same footprint, which is why this size is so popular with knife makers and general metalworkers.

Pros

  • Capacity that handles real scrap volumes, not just jewelry-scale work
  • Single burner keeps propane consumption and tank logistics simple
  • Doubles as a forge for heat-treating and light forging
  • Mid-range price for a genuinely capable furnace

Cons

  • Single burner takes a while to bring a full 12 kg load to temperature
  • Long warm-up means more fuel per session than smaller units
  • Too large for precise small gold melts; you lose fine control
  • Requires serious outdoor space and ventilation

Against the AMCJJ 12KG, this is a like-for-like capacity comparison where the VEVOR carries the mid-range price and the AMCJJ the budget price. The decision hinges on whether you want the extra finish and support of a mid-range kit or simply the cheapest 12 kg furnace available. Against the VEVOR 16KG dual-burner, the 12KG is cheaper to run per hour but slower on large loads. If you mostly melt copper and aluminum, the dual burner earns its keep; if you mix metals and want lower running costs, stay at 12 kg.

9. AMCJJ 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit – Best Budget Route Into the 12 kg Class

AMCJJ 12KG Propane Melting Furnace Kit

The AMCJJ 12KG does what a budget furnace should: it puts a large crucible within reach at the lowest price tier in its capacity class. It suits buyers who have already decided they want 12 kg of capacity and would rather spend the difference on a better crucible, gloves or a spare tank than on a branded shell. It also suits a workshop adding a second furnace for aluminum or scrap so the good furnace stays clean.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner
  • Rated capacity: 12 kg gold-equivalent
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class
  • Kit contents: furnace body, crucible, tongs, burner assembly
  • Metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, aluminum in suitable volumes
  • Price tier: budget

The appeal is purely economic. A 12 kg chamber at budget pricing means you are buying capacity rather than branding, and for a tool that is essentially a lined steel drum with a burner, that is a defensible position. The money you save is best redirected into a quality graphite crucible and a proper pair of foundry gloves, both of which affect safety far more than the shell does.

Pros

  • Cheapest way into the 12 kg capacity class
  • Includes crucible and tongs, so it is usable out of the box
  • Large enough for real scrap processing
  • Low enough cost to dedicate to aluminum or dirty scrap

Cons

  • Finish, hardware and lining quality are basic
  • Included crucible is likely the first thing you will replace
  • Shell may not survive damp storage as well as coated or stainless alternatives
  • No published temperature figure, so you rely on class expectations

Against the VEVOR 12KG, the two are direct competitors at different price points, and the choice comes down to finish and longevity rather than capability. Against the Outstar 12KG, the comparison is closer still: both are budget 12 kg kits, and the deciding factor is usually which one includes the accessories you actually want. If you are melting aluminum or unknown scrap in volume, either budget 12 kg unit is a sensible choice because you will not want to risk a premium furnace on dirty metal.

10. Outstar 12KG Metal Melting Furnace Kit – Best for Mixed Precious-Metal and Aluminum Work

Outstar 12KG Metal Melting Furnace Kit, Propane Melting Furnace Foundry Kiln Smelting Gold Silver Copper Aluminum Metal Recycle for Jewelry Making and Metal Casting

The Outstar 12KG is marketed specifically for gold, silver, copper and aluminum, which makes it a reasonable pick for a workshop that switches between precious metals and light-metal casting. The 12 kg capacity gives you real volume for aluminum, which is the metal that punishes small crucibles hardest. It suits a hobby caster who pours aluminum parts one week and silver ingots the next, and anyone who wants a single budget furnace that covers the widest range of metals.

  • Fuel: propane, single burner
  • Rated capacity: 12 kg gold-equivalent, but note aluminum is limited by volume, not mass
  • Maximum temperature: approximately the 2,500°F class, well above aluminum’s 1,220°F melting point
  • Metals listed: gold, silver, copper, aluminum
  • Kit contents: furnace, crucible, tongs, burner assembly
  • Price tier: budget

The value here is breadth. Because aluminum melts at only 1,220°F, a 2,500°F propane furnace has enormous headroom for it, and the 12 kg chamber gives you enough volume to cast parts rather than buttons. The catch is density: a crucible rated for 12 kg of gold holds roughly 1.7 kg of aluminum by weight before you even apply a safe fill limit. That is still far more aluminum than a 3 kg or 6 kg crucible will take, which is exactly why this size makes sense for light-metal work.

Pros

  • Wide metal coverage including aluminum, which many small furnaces cannot handle in useful volume
  • 12 kg chamber at budget pricing
  • Huge temperature margin over aluminum’s melting point
  • Includes the essentials to start melting immediately

Cons

  • You must use a separate crucible for aluminum to avoid contaminating precious-metal melts
  • Budget build quality and hardware
  • Single burner is slow on large copper loads
  • Aluminum’s low density means the advertised capacity is misleading for that metal

Against the AMCJJ 12KG, this is another budget 12 kg head-to-head, and the Outstar’s explicit aluminum marketing makes it the more natural choice if light-metal casting is part of your plan. Against the VEVOR 12KG, the Outstar is cheaper but less finished. Whichever you pick, budget for a second crucible: mixing aluminum and gold in the same graphite crucible is a mistake you only make once, because aluminum attacks graphite and leaves contamination behind.

11. HOZYZO 1800W Electric Melting Furnace Kit – Best for Precise, Repeatable Small Melts

HOZYZO 1800W Electric Melting Furnace Kit, Upgraded PID Digital Smelter

The HOZYZO 1800W kit is the most controllable furnace in this roundup. A PID digital controller holds a set temperature rather than letting it drift with burner output, which is exactly what you want for consistent silver and gold casting. It suits a jeweler or small caster who needs repeatable results, works indoors, and is willing to trade speed and top-end temperature for precision.

  • Power: 1,800 W electric resistance, roughly 15 A at 120 V
  • Control: PID digital controller with setpoint temperature
  • Rated capacity: 3 kg class graphite crucible
  • Maximum temperature: typically the 2,000-2,200°F class
  • Metals: gold, silver, low-melting alloys; copper is marginal
  • Price tier: premium

One electrical detail matters more than any other here. At 1,800 W and 120 V, this furnace draws about 15 A. A standard 15 A household circuit is only meant to carry 12 A continuously under the usual 80% guidance, so an 1800 W furnace really wants a dedicated 20 A circuit. Plug it into a 15 A circuit shared with a freezer or a shop light and you will trip the breaker. If you cannot provide a 20 A circuit, the 1,350 W VEVOR electric unit is the safer choice.

Pros

  • PID control holds a set temperature for repeatable results
  • No flame, no fuel storage, no combustion gases
  • Clean enough for indoor or enclosed workshop use
  • Excellent for consistent gold and silver casting

Cons

  • Draws about 15 A, so it needs a dedicated 20 A circuit in practice
  • Lower temperature ceiling than propane; copper is a stretch
  • Slower heat-up than a propane furnace
  • Premium price for a 3 kg capacity

Against the VEVOR 3kg electric 1350W, the HOZYZO costs more but adds the PID controller and a more powerful element, which is the difference between guessing at temperature and setting it. If you sell what you cast, that repeatability is worth the money. Against the GEKUVIX 1800W electric furnace, the two are close competitors in the same wattage and capacity class, and the deciding factors are controller ergonomics and crucible inclusions rather than raw performance.

12. GEKUVIX Electric Furnace for Melting Metal, 1800W – Best for Clean Indoor Silver and Gold Casting

GEKUVIX Electric Furnace for Melting Metal, 1800W Smart Electric Melting Furnace Kit with 3KG Graphite Crucible, PID Precision Temp Control Smelter Kiln for Gold Silver Copper Aluminum, 110V

The GEKUVIX 1800W is the second premium electric option here, and it ships with a 3 kg graphite crucible as part of the kit. It suits a small casting operation that wants digital control, indoor operation

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Do I Need Gear Editorial Team
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