The Medium Pyro Cage is the straight swap for a rusting 55-gallon burn barrel. At 24" square and 32" tall it holds 7.88 cubic feet — about the same volume as a drum — but it breathes from all four sides, and it stores flat when the season ends.
It is the right size for a normal suburban yard: leaves, prunings, cardboard and burnable household waste. It shares the Large's 24" footprint but stands 16" shorter and ships about 30 lb lighter. Angled slots pull air across the fuel so a load burns down to ash rather than smoldering.
Dusk burn — the angled slots pulling air across the fuel
Built in 14 gauge steel
Every Medium is 14 gauge (0.075") hot-rolled steel — thick enough to take repeated burns without warping, and about 13 lb per panel so one person can carry and set it up. There is no PRO Series in this size; if you burn hard enough to need 11 gauge, step up to the Large Pyro Cage.
Lid, riser base and cover
The optional lid keeps embers and light ash inside on a breezy day. The optional riser base raises the fuel 4" so the lower vents feed the fire from below — hotter, longer burns, less scorched ground, and ash that collects in the base instead of the lawn. Both bolt together with three bolts and store flat; hardware is included. A custom-fit storage cover, sewn in-house in Kansas, can be added right on this page.
The optional lid
The riser base installed — fuel up 4", ash collects below
- Made in America from hot-rolled mild steel
- American steel construction is nearly 2x thicker than competing burn cage models
- 24" square × 32" tall — 7.88 cu ft, roughly one 55-gallon drum
- Tab-and-slot assembly — no tools or hardware needed. Most owners leave it standing year-round; it breaks down flat for off-season storage or a move.
- Integrated handles for easy transport
- Ships in 2 boxes (1 box for the no-lid, no-riser configuration)
One honest note on taking it apart: fire is hard on straight lines. After a season of full-heat burns the panels grip their slots, and separating them takes a rubber mallet and more leverage than first assembly did. Plan on leaving the cage standing between burns — that’s what the cover is for — and pulling it apart once a year, not weekly.
A full load at night
FREE UPS Ground Shipping — standard items ship free (excludes freight and Hawaii).
Instructions
Specifications
| Overall width | 24 in |
|---|---|
| Overall depth | 24 in |
| Overall height | 32 in |
| Burn capacity (cu ft) | 7.88 |
| Footprint | Square — 4 panels |
| Steel gauge | 14 |
| Panel thickness | 0.075 in (14 ga) |
| Material | Hot-rolled mild steel, made in USA |
| Finish | Uncoated mill finish (patinas with use) |
| Lid / Riser Base | Optional |
| Shipping weight | 57 lb |
| Assembly | Tab-and-slot panels, no tools required |
KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
Do the Pyro Cages warp?
All metal expands when heated. We have carefully designed the Pyro Cages to minimize the warpage that can result when the metal is hot, but the metal WILL warp to varying degrees. When burning organic material like limbs and leaves the effect is less than processed artificial material like cardboard, plastic. or wood that has adhesives. While the panels can distort it does not impact the effectiveness of the unit - any gaps that can develop are still small enough to safety contain the burn. Generally, the effect is most noticeable during there first couple of burns and tends to even out with use. The thicker PRO Series panels are fabricated from 1/8" steel and is designed for heavier and more frequent use. Even with this very thick material the PRO Series panels are not immune to expansion from heating and will warp to some degree.
Is it hard to take apart later?
First assembly is tool-free and takes a few minutes. Take-down after a season of hot burns is a different job: heat cycling tightens the tab-and-slot joints, so plan on a rubber mallet, some leverage, and working corner to corner. Most customers simply leave the cage assembled year-round — a fitted cover keeps it ready — and break it down once a year at most. If hand strength is a concern, plan on the cage living assembled, or line up a helper for the annual take-down.
How do you light a fire in the Burn Cage?
We use a long lighter to ignite our fires from the top of the unit. We burn a lot of boxes and there is always some loose paper that ignites easily to get things going. There's no need to light from the bottom - once you get things started at the top the fire will quickly work its way down. This is actually safer too - lighting the fire from the bottom can cause hot air to rise quickly to the top which can force lighter materials out of the cage if a Burn Cage Lid is not used. Starting from the top can prevent these "flyaways" from happening as the fire moves it's way down.
Will the Pyro Cages rust?
It's important to note that our Pyro Cages are cut from Mild Steel, and are not made from Stainless Steel. We made this decision very deliberately because we were able to make a burn barrel replacement that was nearly 2x thicker than the competition while still providing a larger cage for less money. If left out in the elements untreated, the Pyro Cages will develop a layer of surface rust that is an aesthetic issue only. The cages are much thicker and made from high quality American steel compared to cheaper import alternatives. Over time the Pyro Cages will turn a deep, dark red that we find much more natural in appearance than tarnished stainless steel.
While the cages are designed to be left outdoors in the elements, to extend the life of your cage it is important to prevent ash from accumulating in the bottom of the unit. When it rains, the ash will retain moisture like a sponge. When left in extended contact with the steel panels this can cause deep rust and premature failure.
We do offer a line of custom fit covers for each size of Pyro Cage to add additional protection to your cage that will add many years to the lifespan of the unit.
What kind of material can I burn in a Pyro Cage?
The Pyro Cage is designed to burn organic materials like brush, limbs, leaves, and common paper items including cardboard, junk mail, and old files to name a few. We do not recommend burning plastics, rubber, or manufactured items that may include adhesives or other chemicals that may create dangerous fumes or extreme temperatures.
Can I use gasoline or other accelerants to start a fire?
No - you should never use an accelerant to start a fire in a Pyro Cage. We've got years of experience burning in these cages and have never found it necessary, either. The most important thing to getting a good, clean burn is to make sure that your burning things that are dry with a low moisture content. Burning fresh cut leaves or limbs will be difficult and will result in excess smoke.
How do I extend the service life of my Burn Cage?
The most important thing to do to maximize the service life of your Burn Cage is to avoid extended exposure to moisture. There are two specific things that lead to premature failure: leaving ash to accumulate inside the cage and sitting the Burn Cage directly on top of soil. Ash will hold water like a sponge allowing the moisture to stay in constant contact with the steel leading to excessive rust to develop and eat away at the steel panels. We recommend placing the Burn Cage on top of a gravel or rock base or on top of concrete pavers to prevent extended exposure to wet ground. Following these guidelines will add years of service to your unit.
