I'm starting a home foundry, based in the UK to make small metal casts in aluminium and bronze - practicing with aluminium and moving on to bronze once I've got the skills and equipment set up right.

I am looking at building a furnace using the standard metal drum and refractory cement method but also wondering if this sort of unit https://www.potterycrafts.co.uk/ProductGrp/p59230-aurora-40lt-1260c-top-loading-kiln

could be used to melt bronze to pour? It goes to the right temperature, and can be carefully controlled and run on household power so would work well I think? The sorts of reasons I can think that it might not work...

• opening the kiln at the top temp of around 1000c could damage it in some way?
• it goes to the right temperature but can't stay that hot for very long?
• it goes to the right temperature but won't open at top temp as a safety feature?
• it costs too much to run at the that temp for long enough?
• there is some sort of reaction with the metal and the materials of the kiln manufacture?
• the construction (firebricks, metal shell, element) is not sturdy enough to stand up to casting temperatures?
• if the kiln does not have ventilation for the fumes?

If not used for melting the metal, I would still probably need to open it at a high temp when taking out ceramic shells after they have been preheated in a kiln like this prior to pouring in the metal.

Anyone who has any information, links or experience would be very much appreciated!