Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a method of forming a coating on a glass substrate using combustion deposition. A glass substrate having at least one surface to be coated is provided. A reagent is selected. A precursor to be combusted with the reagent is introduced. Using at least one infrared burner, at least a portion of the reagent and the precursor are combusted to form a combusted material, with the combusted material including non-vaporized material. The glass substrate is provided in an area so that the glass substrate is heated sufficiently to allow the combusted material to form the coating, directly or indirectly, on the glass substrate. The coating may be substantially uniform. In certain example embodiments, a silicon oxide coating may be deposited, which increases visible transmission of the glass substrate by at least about 1.7%.