Abstract: A vessel for processing steel under vacuum is provided and includes a vessel body, a cover placed thereupon in a vacuum-tight manner, and a connection for a vacuum pump. To heat the vessel a heating mechanism is provided that comprises a graphite rod that extends diametrically through the vessel, with contact studs being provided at the ends of the graphite rod for the transfer of electrical power. To increase the service life of the graphite rods, the rod with its contact studs is fixably held in position on the vessel wall at one end, and at the opposite end the rod is displaceably disposed relative to the vessel wall. To compensate the force originating from the vacuum that prevails in the vessel, a compensating mechanism that is acted upon by the vacuum of the vessel is provided for supporting the moveable mounting of the graphite rod.