Disclosed is a process for pouring a steel melt through the base outlet of a steel casting ladle in which the base outlet is first closed by a slide and the pouring channel leading through the outer wall of the ladle is filled above the slide with a granular compound which can form a sintered layer in the region of contact with the steel melt. In the process, with the slide closed, any sintered layer is broken up by pressurised gas and the granular compound is driven upwards, whereafter the slide is opened.
