A system for testing abrasion resistance of a test specimen made of refractory material, wherein the system includes an insulated furnace with a first chamber having a refractory lining, a second chamber disposed within the first chamber, a tube for flowing pressurized air into the second chamber, a conduit for flowing heated air from a burner operating on a fuel to the second chamber, for mixing with the pressurized air, and an air gun for mixing an abrading material into the pressurized air prior to introduction to the test specimen.