A transient heating burner comprising: at least two burner elements each comprising: a distribution nozzle configured to flow a fuel; and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow a first oxidant; a manifold configured to distribute the first oxidant flow equally across the annular nozzles of the at least two burner elements; at least one staging nozzle configured to flow a second oxidant; and a controller programmed: to independently control the fuel flow to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein fuel flow in an active distribution nozzle is greater than an average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles and fuel flow in a passive distribution nozzle is less than the average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles; and to control a staging ratio to be less than or equal to 75%, wherein the staging ratio is the ratio of the oxygen contained in the second oxidant flow to the sum of the oxygen contained in the first and second oxidant flows, wherein an active distribution nozzle has an active jet flow rate and wherein a passive distribution nozzle has a passive jet flow rate; and wherein the controller is programmed to control the ratio of the active jet flow rate to the passive jet flow rate to be from 5 to 40. at least two burner elements each comprising: a distribution nozzle configured to flow a fuel; and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow a first oxidant; a distribution nozzle configured to flow a fuel; and an annular nozzle surrounding the distribution nozzle and configured to flow a first oxidant; a manifold configured to distribute the first oxidant flow equally across the annular nozzles of the at least two burner elements; at least one staging nozzle configured to flow a second oxidant; and a controller programmed: to independently control the fuel flow to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein fuel flow in an active distribution nozzle is greater than an average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles and fuel flow in a passive distribution nozzle is less than the average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles; and to control a staging ratio to be less than or equal to 75%, wherein the staging ratio is the ratio of the oxygen contained in the second oxidant flow to the sum of the oxygen contained in the first and second oxidant flows, wherein an active distribution nozzle has an active jet flow rate and wherein a passive distribution nozzle has a passive jet flow rate; and to independently control the fuel flow to each distribution nozzle such that at least one of the distribution nozzles is active and at least one of the distribution nozzles is passive, wherein fuel flow in an active distribution nozzle is greater than an average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles and fuel flow in a passive distribution nozzle is less than the average fuel flow to the distribution nozzles; and to control a staging ratio to be less than or equal to 75%, wherein the staging ratio is the ratio of the oxygen contained in the second oxidant flow to the sum of the oxygen contained in the first and second oxidant flows, wherein the controller is programmed to control the ratio of the active jet flow rate to the passive jet flow rate to be from 5 to 40.