Abstract: A coal or wood burning stove or fireplace including a fire chamber, the upper part of which is defined by a cooking surface having a horizontally disposed top portion and an arcuate portion extending forwardly and downwardly from the top portion. A flue is disposed within the fire chamber parallel to the top portion and has an open end terminating at the midpoint of the radius of the arcuate portion. The position of the end of the flue with respect to the arcuate portion permits slow, even and complete burning of the fuel in the fire chamber.