PURPOSE: To improve the corrosion resistance and thermal efficiency of a holding furnace in a holding furnace for molten metal by forming heat absorbing fins on the outside circumferential surface of a case and interposing thermocontact liq. between the case and a graphite crucible.

CONSTITUTION: A graphite crucible 22 is contained in a case 21 having an opening 20 in the upper part, and a heat-resistant spacer 23 is disposed on the bottom part of the inside surface of the case 21. The crucible 22 is installed through the spacing equal to the thickness of the spacer 23. Thermocontact liq. 24 is filled between the inside surface of the case 21 and the outside circumferential surface of the crucible 22. Plural pieces of heat absorbing fins 25 are formed on the outside circumferential surface of the case 21, and heaters 36 are disposed near the outside circumferential surface of the case 21. By the above- mentioned method, the heat conductivity is improved and the life of the crucible 22 is maintained long.