Practice using the tongs with the crucible when the furnace and crucible are cold. This way you will be used to handling the crucible and there will be a lower risk of accidents when the hot metal is inside it.
Turn on the furnace, and have it heat up to between 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit and 2,050 degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, prepare the copper in the crucible.
Weigh the copper that you are melting, record the weight for future reference, and then put the copper in the crucible.
Put on your goggles and gloves. Open the furnace and use the tongs to put the crucible in the furnace. If the furnace is heating properly, the bottom of crucible will turn yellow in five to 10 minutes.
Remove the copper from the furnace when the metal has turned to completely molten. Then add powdered charcoal to reduce oxidizing, which could weaken the copper when it is poured into casts.