Abstract: A solid fuel burner comprises a system which permits solid fuel to be injected into a burner chamber and intermixed in an air suspension. The burner includes a cast iron, stepped grate that is self-cleaning, and comprises a series of plates that are substantially horizontal and are vertically spaced apart to form steps. Air is introduced under the stepped plates and the air blows out into the combustion chamber through the spaces between the plates to aid in combustion and cause turbulence in the fuel introduced. The burner further includes a "pin hole" grate adjacent the stepped grate on which lighter materials will fall and will be also subject to an air stream for complete combustion, and efficient burning.