General:
* Pot
* Kettle
* Boiler
* Vat
* Crock
* Vessel
More evocative:
* Churn
* Furnace
* Crucible
* Hearth
Figurative:
* Maelstrom (for a churning, chaotic situation)
* Abyss (for a deep, dark, and mysterious place)
The best synonym will depend on the specific situation and the tone you want to convey.