Abstract: An unburned carbon-containing refractory suitable for lining a molten metal container, which can prevent deformation of the outer steel shell, improve the life of the container, suppress reduction in molten steel temperature, and minimize energy losses without sacrificing the life of the wear lining. A molten metal container capable of reducing energy losses and having stable durability is also provided. The unburned carbon-containing refractory contains a refractory aggregate and 30% by weight or less of a carbon raw material containing at least graphite, wherein the carbon content X (% by weight) and the thermal conductivity &lgr;(W/m° C.) of the refractory satisfy the relationship: &lgr;≦0.8X+7, and the refractory contains 20 parts by weight or more of a refractory aggregate having an apparent porosity of 10% or smaller and a greater size than 1 mm per 100 parts by weight of the total of the refractory aggregate and the carbon raw material.