Sampling device for thermal analysis of solidifying metal, comprising: a container adapted to be immersed into a metal melt and filled with a sample quantity of said metal melt; the container comprising a top part open at the top thereof, a bottom part adapted to be the first part of the container immersed into the melt when taking a sample quantity, and an essentially cylindrical part arranged between the top part and the bottom part; the container further comprising an inner wall member and an outer wall member; the inner wall member having an inner surface intended to contact a sample quantity of the metal melt during thermal analysis, and an outer surface; the outer wall member having an inner surface, and an outer surface adapted to be exposed to the ambient air during thermal analysis; wherein the inner wall member and the outer wall member are essentially coaxially arranged in the essentially cylindrical part of the container and joined at the top part of the container, the inner and outer wall members (6, 7) defining a closed insulating space between the outer surface of the inner wall member and the inner surface of the outer wall member; the sampling device further comprising temperature responsive means adapted to extend into the sample quantity during thermal analysis; characterised in that a spacer means is arranged in the insulating space in the bottom part of the container and/or in the essentially cylindrical part of the container in the vicinity of the bottom part, said spacer means being one or more protrusions, said protrusion or protrusions protruding from the inner surface of the outer wall member or from the outer surface of the inner wall member. a container adapted to be immersed into a metal melt and filled with a sample quantity of said metal melt; the container comprising a top part open at the top thereof, a bottom part adapted to be the first part of the container immersed into the melt when taking a sample quantity, and an essentially cylindrical part arranged between the top part and the bottom part; the container further comprising an inner wall member and an outer wall member; the inner wall member having an inner surface intended to contact a sample quantity of the metal melt during thermal analysis, and an outer surface; the outer wall member having an inner surface, and an outer surface adapted to be exposed to the ambient air during thermal analysis; wherein the inner wall member and the outer wall member are essentially coaxially arranged in the essentially cylindrical part of the container and joined at the top part of the container, the inner and outer wall members (6, 7) defining a closed insulating space between the outer surface of the inner wall member and the inner surface of the outer wall member; the sampling device further comprising temperature responsive means adapted to extend into the sample quantity during thermal analysis; characterised in that a spacer means is arranged in the insulating space in the bottom part of the container and/or in the essentially cylindrical part of the container in the vicinity of the bottom part, said spacer means being one or more protrusions, said protrusion or protrusions protruding from the inner surface of the outer wall member or from the outer surface of the inner wall member.