A method for preheating a beater mill is provided. The method includes: rotating a beater wheel disposed within the beater mill to facilitate circulation of a gas stream between the beater mill and a furnace fluidly connected to each other via both a pulverized fuel conduit and a flue gas recirculation conduit; generating a burner gas via a burner disposed within the flue gas recirculation conduit such that the burner gas joins and heats the gas stream circulating through the beater mill and the furnace; and adjusting at least one of an air supply and a fuel supply to the burner via a controller based at least in part on one of a temperature of the gas stream at an entrance of the beater mill, a temperature of the gas stream at an exit of the beater mill, and an oxygen level within the beater mill.