fig4 and 5 which is available to the wick to support further combustion as illustrated in fig1 and 2 the solid fuel is located above and in direct contact with the simmer plate which also serves to contain the solid fuel and the liquid fuel derived therefrom by the melting thereof the direct contact of the simmer plate and the solid fuel improves heat flow to the fuel ensuring a more rapid and complete melting thereof as the fuel is consumed by the flame additional melted fuel will be channeled or funneled to the wick as a result of the shape of the simmer plate being designed to accomplish such flow additional fuel elements may be introduced as desired or necessary to replenish those which are consumed or if desired to change or modify the actives being dispersed further as the simmer plate and heat conductive elements increase the temperature of the liquified fuel with which they are in contact active materials in the fuel will be more rapidly volatilized and released to the atmosphere thus providing for more efficient dispersal thereof one preferred embodiment of the use of a simmer plate for dispensing actives may be referred to as a simmer plate dispenser 18 as illustrated for example in fig4 and 5 fig4 shows a one piece construction favorable for low cost production which uses a wick holder 7 having fins 11.