A method of operating a burner includes providing supplying a combustible mixture containing a ratio of fuel and air that is incapable of maintaining a stable flame to a combustion chamber. The combustible mixture is ignited by an igniter, and presence of a flame is sensed. The igniter is maintained active to sustain combustion of the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber so that a space exterior to the combustion chamber is heated to a temperature at or above an auto-ignition temperature of the combustible mixture. The temperature of the space exterior is monitored and the combustible mixture is provided at a second flow rate, which is higher than the first flow rate, to extinguish the flame in the combustion chamber such that combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber. When combustion occurs in the space exterior to the combustion chamber, the igniter is deactivated.