In a method of manufacturing an optical fiber base material including depositing soot generated by flame hydrolysis, the fluctuation band of the surface temperature of a burner fixing section including a burner holder and its fixture for burners for compounding the optical fiber base material is kept equal to or less than 80 degree C. The temperature can be controlled by a heat shield plate arranged between a burner flame and a burner fixing section and a temperature control mechanism that heats or cools the burner fixing section. Thereby the relative position between the burner and the soot deposition is stabilized, so that the manufacturing method being capable of manufacturing an optical fiber base material having a stable refractive index and the apparatus therefor can be provided.