refill the pot at the end of the casting session or wait till next time to fill it

[Walter Laich]

After I cast the pot down to within 1 inch of the bottom I'm done for the day

I usually refill the pot and let the lead melt so I'll have a full pot ready to go the next time

I can see this is using more energy and time than if I waited till next time and then filled and let the lead melt before casting. Hate to have to wait though when I'm ready to start a new casting session

any thoughts on filling at the end vs. filling at the beginning?

[Winger Ed.]

I try not to let my Pro-Melt get much below half full or where the level is below the heating coil.

When I'm done, and just before I unplug it:
I usually go ahead and fill it most of the way back up, let it all melt & level out as I clean up
and putter around after I'm done casting. I think it heats up faster that way for the next time.

I leave it about a inch from the top so when its cold and I come across odds and ends or floor
sweepings of Lead, I can toss them back on top of the pot instead of finding another place for them.

[Conditor22]

I cast down to apr 1/2" since I'm not sure what alloy I will be using next time

[Wheelguns 1961]

I usually leave about an inch in my lee 20 pound pot. If I fill it when I am done, it seems to take twice the time to heat up at the beginning of a new casting session. I just fill it up at the beginning.

[Kylongrifle32]

I usually run my lyman pot down to about an inch of lead left. Turn the pot off. Then I dump the sprues into the pot for the next round.

[metricmonkeywrench]

Figured out with my Lee 10 pounder to leave it about half full when I’m done, when it’s full the heating of the lead seems to push up the valve and start dripping long before the top starts to melt.

[joe leadslinger]

I leave an inch or so then turn the pot off. Makes it easy to change alloys if needed at the next casting session.

[jeepyj]

I try not to let my Pro-Melt get much below half full or where the level is below the heating coil.

When I'm done, and just before I unplug it:
I usually go ahead and fill it most of the way back up, let it all melt & level out as I clean up
and putter around after I'm done casting. I think it heats up faster that way for the next time.

I leave it about a inch from the top so when its cold and I come across odds and ends or floor
sweepings of Lead, I can toss them back on top of the pot instead of finding another place for them.

^^^This is exactly what I do.^^^

[Chris S]

Ever run the pot with nothing it it? Mine glow red hot. I'd rather things not get that hot so I keep them full.
My .02$
Chris

[turtlezx]

think leaving full prevents rust

[lightman]

I leave mine full unless I know that I'll be using a different alloy at the next casting session.

[Mike W1]

I usually run my lyman pot down to about an inch of lead left. Turn the pot off. Then I dump the sprues into the pot for the next round.

Ditto

[Winger Ed.]

^^^This is exactly what I do.^^^

I feel vindicated!

I cast almost totally for slow wadcutters so the pot always has a soft alloy in it for next time.
The occasions when I want hard stuff for rifles, I cast the soft stuff until the level goes on down, then add the ingots for hard ones.

When I'm done with them, the pot is back down, and I add pure Lead to refill it and shut down.
The next run is a little harder than 'normal' until I refill it again, but its no big deal.

[imashooter2]

I never let the pot fall lower than 1 ingots worth, so I leave it full. I have 3 pots for the different alloys I use.

[rockrat]

I don't let my Pro-melt get lower than about half way and when I am done, I fill it with alloy and turn it off. It can melt when I turn it on next time.

[Digger]

About Half full is when I add another ingot as I prefer the "pressure" flow with it being a bit more that way ..

[country gent]

I leave my bottom pours full when done. On the new rcbs with the required cool down this may increase the cool down time some. If you siply add ingots to the pot to fill it and turn off the fresh cold lead will freeze it and cool faster may not fill completely and make a smooth surface though.

On my big gas fired casting pot I leave at least half full. Its has a capacity of 120 lbs.

One thing I do s after the pot has solidified and still hot. I drop a ball of wax in about the size of what I use to flux. This will seal the gap and keep moisture out preventing rust.

[GhostHawk]

I run a magnum melter not a bottom pour. But once I'm done casting I drop ingots into the melt until it is back at the level I prefer.

I don't think it makes a big difference. Maybe more so for the bottom pours.

[stubshaft]

Mine gets filled full after casting.

[TyGuy]

Well, I feel like the odd man out... I use a little Lyman dipper pot and when finished I typically dump any leftovers into the ingot mold. I have always just assumed it’s better not to store it full especially since I’ll forget what alloy is in it. I change alloys pretty well every time I cast so I figured it’s better to start fresh. Maybe I’ll have to try leaving it full and see if I notice a difference.