Help me solve a mystery..what IS this thing?

[poohandwendy]

I am an Ebay seller and every now again, people will ask me to sell items for them. Well, my brother brought this thing over, he bought it at an estate sale...but none of us can figure out what it is, LOL. (don't ask why he bought it, he just thought it looked like something that was valuable)

Anyways, I am posting a few pictures...it is stainless steel, has a drawer that comes out and you put this round ceramic block in it (that you soak in fuel) and then you light it somehow and it is a burner...I guess like steno heat. That leads me to think it is some sort of portable heating element of some kind. It looks like something that would be used in food service (maybe a caterer or food vendor?)

The only markings on it are on the one side it has "Instructions for Ignition of the auxiliary heating unit" and the other side is marked: Q-Line Inst. Corp. and a bunch of model numbers (can't find anything online for that)

I dunno, we are stumped. I am not even sure if there are more parts that are missing?

So...any clue? Have you ever seen anything like this?
Just thought with all of the smart people here, we could come up with something. TIA for any thoughts or ideas on this!

 

[Sparx]

well I'm no expert (I just play one on the dis) but I'd say midieval torture device?

j/k. but seriously. I don't know. looks interesting though.

 

[cakesnkids]

Well, the burner looks kinda like this thing huh?
http://www.survivalpro.com/catalog/images/Kerosene burner unit web.JPG
To me, it looks similiar to a campstove.

 

[Cindy B]

It looks like a camping stove as well.

Either that or an external heating source for an outdoor caterer

 

[tevagirl]

I don't know what it is either but somebody will buy it.

 

[sajetto]

I'm pretty sure that's either a camping stove or a service warmer for a buffet.