> From the history of chinese cooking:
>
> http://www.yutopian.com/cooking/history/
>
> Evolution of Cooking Equipment:
>
> The Stove- A stove is essential to any kitchen. Chinese invented the stove
> thousands of years ago. The concept behind an ancient Chinese stove is very
> similar to that of a modern one, except it was powered by burning wood and
> branches instead of gas and electricity. The following figures show the
> evolution of stove in history.
>
> Dimitri

From my reading the most common fuel was dung, which does not burn very
hot. The design of the wok and the "stove" that it sat in concentrated the
heat in a very small area.
--
JakeInHartsel