Abstract: A burner pan comprises a large top plate conforming to the entire burner area for providing convenient support for the logs and wide flexibility in the configuration and location of the gas flame ports. The burner pan comprises a plurality of gas ports disposed along the outer periphery of the top plate, a burner plenum subjacently disposed along the outer periphery of the top plate for delivering gas to the gas ports, and a dead air space in the center of the burner pan. The burner plenum is formed between a shallow gas-tight outer housing shell which defines the outer peripheral walls of the burner plenum and a smaller inner shell adapted to fit within the outer shell which defines the inner peripheral walls of the burner plenum and circumscribes a substantially sealed central dead air space which is essentially free from the burner gas.

Abstract: A pellet burning appliance with an improved burner is disclosed. This improved burner includes an open ended retort in communication with a feed auger at the inlet end opposite the open end. The feed auger delivers solid fuel pellets through the inlet end which results in underfeeding action and cross-flow of the combustion bed. An air hole arrangement introduces primary and secondary air for highly efficient burning. The floor of the retort is flat, and colinear with the bottom of the auger tube. The burner is inclined within the appliance at approximately 22.5.degree. from the horizontal. This design promotes efficient burning as the constantly fed fuel spreads evenly whereby it combusts over substantially the entire length of the retort. The feeding action continually pushes clinkers and other combustion inhibiting particulates, in an unobstructed manner, off the retort's terminal end.