burner devices are kinda pointless

[ficolas]

But you still cannot automatically feed combustion inserters.

Why wouldn't be my proposal enough?
If an inserter could feed itself when handling coal, what piece would be missing?
EDIT: to be sure: "Insterter being able to feed itself when handling coal" == Insterter supplies something with coal. When it is low on fuel, it instead releases the piece of coal when the arm is in the middle, so it drops inside it.

Inserters can feed other insterters...

that is too smart for a burner inserter

[Dakkanor]

what if you could use burner tech to act as a base for higher tech?

for example if we got uranium......

burner inserter + adv circuit + UPC(Uranium power Cell) = Eternal inserter.....

or the burner drills could be used as a base for deep mining drills for the hidden ores....

i say that UPGRADES are the way to go!!