A counter-gravity casting method in which a mold is maintained stationary during casting and directional solidification, comprising the steps of: melting metal in a crucible; moving the crucible from a melt position to a casting position wherein moving the crucible comprises the steps of: moving the crucible laterally from a melt chamber of a counter-gravity casting apparatus to a fill chamber of the counter-gravity casting apparatus, wherein the fill chamber is adjacent to and displaced generally lateral to the melt chamber with respect to gravity and a fill pipe is positioned within the fill chamber; and bringing the molten metal into contact with the fill pipe; introducing the molten metal upward through the fill pipe into a mold placed in a casting chamber of the counter-gravity casting apparatus positioned generally above the fill chamber with respect to gravity, whereby a plunger is positioned to secure in position the mold placed in the casting chamber; draining molten metal from the fill pipe back to the crucible; moving the crucible back to the melt position; and moving a susceptor in relation to the mold to cause directional solidification of the molten metal in the mold, wherein a susceptor chamber is located generally above the casting chamber with respect to gravity, and closing a moveable interlock to separate the melt chamber from the fill chamber during the step of melting the metal in the crucible, whereby the fill chamber is separated from the casting chamber by a base plate which allows pressure differential to be created between the fill chamber and casting chamber. melting metal in a crucible; moving the crucible from a melt position to a casting position wherein moving the crucible comprises the steps of: moving the crucible laterally from a melt chamber of a counter-gravity casting apparatus to a fill chamber of the counter-gravity casting apparatus, wherein the fill chamber is adjacent to and displaced generally lateral to the melt chamber with respect to gravity and a fill pipe is positioned within the fill chamber; and bringing the molten metal into contact with the fill pipe; moving the crucible laterally from a melt chamber of a counter-gravity casting apparatus to a fill chamber of the counter-gravity casting apparatus, wherein the fill chamber is adjacent to and displaced generally lateral to the melt chamber with respect to gravity and a fill pipe is positioned within the fill chamber; and bringing the molten metal into contact with the fill pipe; introducing the molten metal upward through the fill pipe into a mold placed in a casting chamber of the counter-gravity casting apparatus positioned generally above the fill chamber with respect to gravity, whereby a plunger is positioned to secure in position the mold placed in the casting chamber; draining molten metal from the fill pipe back to the crucible; moving the crucible back to the melt position; and moving a susceptor in relation to the mold to cause directional solidification of the molten metal in the mold, wherein a susceptor chamber is located generally above the casting chamber with respect to gravity, and closing a moveable interlock to separate the melt chamber from the fill chamber during the step of melting the metal in the crucible, whereby the fill chamber is separated from the casting chamber by a base plate which allows pressure differential to be created between the fill chamber and casting chamber.