SmeltingSmelting furnacesFurnace for copperCopper and nickelNickel undergo periodic shutdowns for refractoryRefractories relining, during which residual moltenMolten material (slagSlag and matteMatte/metalMetal) solidifies and must be removed. Enhanced furnaceFurnace draining practices aim to minimize this residual “skull,” thereby simplifying demolition and expediting maintenance. This paper examines how improved draining techniques—such as extended tappingTapping, tilting furnacesFurnace, and auxiliary tap-holes—reduce the volume and thickness of leftover slagSlag/metalMetal prior to relining. Using technical specifications of a Brokk 500 remote demolition machine as a base to collect data, we demonstrate that residual material thickness and density strongly affect demolition time: thicker, denser solid slagSlag, or matteMatte can double or triple removal time, whereas thorough draining that leaves only a thin layer can cut demolition durations by more than half. CopperCopper and nickelNickel smelterSmelter case studies are presented to quantify the benefits. Data from real operationsOperation show that optimized draining and mechanized cleanup have reduced overall shutdown durations by up to 25%, yielded over 18% cost savings in maintenance and lost production, and significantly improved safetySafety by reducingReducing workers’ exposure to hot materials and manual jackhammering. Diagrams illustrate the relationship between skull thickness/density and breakout time, and tables summarize industry examples. The findings underscore that proactive furnaceFurnace draining, combined with modern demolition technologyTechnology, can substantially improve smelterSmelter maintenance efficiencyEfficiency, economics, and safetySafety. The paper is written for a broad technical audience—from furnaceFurnace operators to maintenance managers.