A method for reducing tundish and ladle nozzle clogging in a steel making process by introducing an additive into molten steel containers used in steel making at predetermined times. The additives introduced are oxides of iron which contain between 10% and 30% of oxygen by weight. By adding the oxides of iron in a controlled manner using a cored wire apparatus, clogs in tundish or ladle nozzles in the steel making process are avoided and the steel flows more smoothly with less interruptions due to clogged nozzles. A preferred embodiment uses oxides of iron contained in a cored wire which can be introduced at a predetermined rate and readily mix with molten steel, provide better distribution of dissolved oxygen in the steel to oxidize inclusions, and facilitate removal of the inclusions before the inclusions can cause nozzle clogging.