Salt pan (evaporation)

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Salt pans are large shallow open pans used to evaporate brine for the production of salt. They are usually found on the coast, where there is a steady supply of brine.

Earliest examples date back to prehistoric times and the pans were made of ceramics known as briquetage. Later examples were made from iron. This change coincided with a change from wood to coal for the purpose of heating the brine. Brine would be pumped into the pans, and concentrated by the heat of the fire burning underneath. As crystals of salt formed these would be raked out and more brine added. In warmer climates no additional heat would be supplied, the sun's heat being sufficient to evaporate off the brine.

Abandoned salt pans are a major feature of the southwest coast of Taiwan.