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 . <EOS>