Looks like a kerosene stove or similar fuel !! Single burner units like this are frequently used at hunting camps !! Pretty neat little item !! Would be good to fry fish outside !! Its a keeper !!
Most likely if the 18 is on the glass it is the size of the glass rather than the date !! Date would have been on the metal part if there were one !! Most just had a brass plate with manufacturers info !!