Method for producing ingots made of metal having cross-sectional areas of at least 0.10 m2 of a round, square or rectangular shape through casting of metal or molten steel either directly from the casting ladle (1) or using a fireproof lined intermediate vessel (3) in a short, water-cooled ingot mold open downwards (4) and withdrawing of the solidified ingot (6) from the same downwardly movable withdrawing tool (8), wherein the casting process is continued with a casting rate determined in accordance with the casting cross-section for as long as the desired or maximum ingot length determined by the height of lift of the withdrawing tool (8) is reached, and additional liquid metal is fed at the end of the regular casting process to an extent that at least the contraction of the metal and steel melt occurring during solidification is balanced during, and whereby after completion of the regular casting process and completion of the ingot withdrawal, the casting process is continued with a casting rate reduced by at least the Factor 10 from the heatable casting ladle (1) or the heatable intermediate vessel (3) or a distribution container, and is reduced progressively or continuously at the end of the solidification to 10% the rate at the start of the additional casting.