Abstract: Methods and apparatus for burning fuel from a supply of solid fuel positioned at one side of a grating light a layer of the solid fuel at the grating to discharge combustible gas. Such discharged gas is drawn through the grating to a side of the grating opposite the mentioned one side and such drawn gas is burned at the other side of the grating. Attainable temperature of said grating, acting as a primary grating, is increased by providing a secondary grating spaced from such primary grating and located between that primary grating and a fire chamber.The methods and apparatus of the subject invention enable particulate, pelletized and other solid fuels, as well as combustible refuse and garbage, to be burned at an efficiency and convenience similar to the combustion of heating oil, and yet provide heat at a fraction of the cost of oil and gas heating methods.