Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combusting a fuel with an oxidant are described, the apparatus comprising a ceramic burner block, the burner block having a back face and a front face. The burner block has at least one oxidant cavity in an upper portion of the burner block, and at least one fuel cavity in a lower portion of the burner block, each cavity extending from the back face to the front face. The at least one oxidant cavity has positioned therein a fuel supply conduit, the fuel supply conduit having a fuel supply conduit exit positioned a sufficient distance from the front face to allow combustion of at least a portion of fuel exiting the fuel supply conduit exit with at least some of the oxidant traversing the oxidant cavity, and the least one fuel cavity having connected thereto, near the back face, an oxidant conduit, thereby allowing mixing of a minor portion of the oxidant with the fuel.