The invention discloses a crude zinc smelting method and a smelting kiln used thereby. The method comprises the following steps: a pyrometallury technique is adopted for smelting and the smelting steps comprise loading, preheating, high-temperature smelting and condensing; the smelting kiln is internally provided with a preheating section, a high-temperature smelting section and a condenser; the raw materials are loaded into the smelting kiln by a feed inlet of the smelting kiln, and then enter the high-temperature smelting section for heating after the preheating section is preheated, and thegenerated zinc steam enters the condenser for condensation; the condensed waste gas enters the preheating section to preheat the raw material, and is exhausted out the smelting kiln by a gas outlet arranged on the smelting kiln, and the waste gas uses a cloth bag for removing dust; and the zinc solution generated by condensation is discharged to a zinc storing tank by a liquid outlet arranged onthe smelting kiln, and the waste residue is discharged out the smelting kiln by a spiral residue-discharging device arranged at the tail part of the smelting kiln. The invention is characterized by small occupied area, large yield, high heat utilization ratio, high recovery ratio, low production cost, capability of treating various renewable zinc ash raw materials and the like, not only is suitable for crude zinc smelting, but also is suitable for smelting other similar non-ferrous metals.