The mechanisms of heat transfer and heat generation in an electroslag process are considered and related to operating characteristics of the process. It is concluded that the form of heat transfer in the slag/mold wall region has a profound effect on the ingot surface. Also, it is noted that the presence of the slag layer has an over-all effect on the heat balance which accounts for the shallow ingot pool-profiles found in ESR ingots. The nature of chemical reactions in the electroslag process is briefly discussed in relation to the oxygen content of ESR ingots. Finally, the synergistic character of ESR process parameters is illustrated by considering the effect of power variations on the ingot solidification pattern.