Plate change drawer for a metallurgical vessel such as a continuous casting distributor (2). The drawer has a chassis (12) mounted under the metallurgical vessel, at least one fixed upper plate (18) and at least one replaceable lower plate (22), means of applying pressure to force the lower plate (22) against the fixed plate, the chassis (12) having guide means for receiving a lower replacement plate (22) alongside the lower plate (22) during pouring, and actuation means for bringing the lower replacement plate (22) in place of the plate during pouring. The upper fixed plate (18) and the lower replaceable plate (22) have identical polygonal peripheries and are offset angularly so that they do not overlap completely. The polygonal periphery of the plate is a square or a square with rounded corners.