Heat treating apparatus which includes a heat treating furnace, a chute at the back of the furnace, and a quench bath at the bottom of the chute. The chute has at least one opening in it located at a level above the quench bath, through which a purging gas is injected, and at a slightly higher level the chute has at least one opening in it through which purging gas, furnace atmosphere gas, quench bath fumes and other contaminants are exhausted. Also included is a method of heat treating objects utilizing the apparatus.