According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of priming a ceramic filter element for removal of solid inclusions from liquid metal is provided. The filter element is contained in a filter box and at least two separate inductors are placed on opposed sides of the filter element. The method includes the steps of a) applying an excitation current to the inductors, b) adding sufficient liquid metal to cover an upstream side of the filter element, c) allowing the current induced in the liquid metal by the inductors to create Lorentz forces which press upon and stir the liquid metal such that the liquid metal is forced into the ceramic filter element, hence priming the filter element, and d) discontinuing the excitation current once a predetermined degree of priming has been obtained.