An apparatus and method for burning liquid fuel or atomizing liquid for use in fuel burners or atomizers of the type which comprise a hollow atomizer bulb (20) having a convex exterior surface (22) which tapers toward an aperture (14) through which air atomizes a liquid as it flows in a film over the surface of the bulb. Such atomizer bulbs are located within an atomizing chamber (12) through which a flow of air is directed toward a discharge opening (16, 16') aligned with the aperture (24) of the atomizer bulb. To protect the film of liquid flowing over the bulb, the bulb is enclosed within a shield (54-64).