Electric arc furnace (10) usable for melting a metal charge (M) and comprising a container (11) having at least one perimeter wall (20) in which there are an upper aperture (21), a lateral slagging aperture (22) and a lateral feed aperture (43). A roof (15), able to be opened selectively, can be positioned on the upper aperture (21) of the container (11) and is provided with a central part (30) having one or more through holes (31) into which respective electrodes (32) can be inserted with clearance to melt the metal charge (M).

An apparatus for the thermal heating of steel products that includes inside it a path for feeding the steel items which extends between an entry end and an exit end of the steel items, a mechanism for feeding a fuel, and a mechanism for feeding a comburent including oxygen, and burners able to operate the combustion of the fuel and of the comburent.