To make the elongation of a supporting arm for gripping an electrode unnecessary by a method wherein the electrode is elevated by an elevating device to a position whereat at least the electrode will not be collided against the furnace wall of a furnace main body and, thereafter, the supporting arm, gripping the electrode, is relayed from the elevating device to an elevating and turning device.

An electrode 61 is gripped by a supporting arm 62 and the leg beam 63 of the supporting arm 62 is engaged with an elevating device 71, supported by a platform 11. An elevating and turning device 72 is fixed to and installed on the ground differently from the elevating device 71. When the electrode 61, inserted into the hearth of a furnace main body 21 while penetrating through a furnace lid 31, is to be lifted or turned for siding, an engaging unit 64 is relayed from the elevating device 71 to an elevating and turning device 72 to elevate or turn the electrode 61 by the elevating and turning device 72 through the engaging member 64, the leg beam 63 and the supporting arm 62. According to this method, the elevating device for electrode can be installed near the furnace main body whereby it is not necessary to elongate the supporting arm for gripping the electrode.