Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reacting waste matter in a flame using fuel such as a flammable gas and oxygen. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical burner comprising a burner base and a removably attachable base extension having a diameter greater than that of the base. The base and the base extension each have aligned central nozzles extending their entire lengths for ejecting waste matter to be reacted, and aligned fuel nozzles radially spaced from each of the central nozzles for ejecting fuel to be ignited. The perimeter of the burner base extension is notched to provide channel-shaped peripheral oxygen nozzles. A substantially cylindrical cooling jacket surrounding the burner is adapted to receive oxygen which passes through the space defined by the outer surface of the burner base and the inner surface of the cooling jacket, then through the peripheral oxygen nozzles of the base extension.