diff --git a/openmc/deplete/operator.py b/openmc/deplete/operator.py
index 1c62bdd40..a1d8ffb0b 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/operator.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/operator.py
@@ -195,6 +195,11 @@ class Operator(TransportOperator):
                                        "material with ID={}.".format(mat.id))
                 volume[str(mat.id)] = mat.volume
 
+        # Make sure there are burnable materials
+        if not burnable_mats:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "No depletable materials were found in the model.")
+
         # Sort the sets
         burnable_mats = sorted(burnable_mats, key=int)
         model_nuclides = sorted(model_nuclides)
diff --git a/openmc/model/model.py b/openmc/model/model.py
index 89fa84e60..d6e6ddce3 100644
--- a/openmc/model/model.py
+++ b/openmc/model/model.py
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ from collections.abc import Iterable
 
 import openmc
 from openmc.checkvalue import check_type
+import openmc.deplete as dep
+
+_DEPLETE_METHODS = {'predictor': dep.integrator.predictor,
+                    'cecm': dep.integrator.cecm}
 
 
 class Model(object):
@@ -136,9 +140,38 @@ class Model(object):
             for plot in plots:
                 self._plots.append(plot)
 
-    def export_to_xml(self):
-        """Export model to XML files.
+    def deplete(self, timesteps, power, chain_file=None, method='cecm', **kwargs):
+        """Deplete model using specified timesteps/power
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        timesteps : iterable of float
+            Array of timesteps in units of [s]. Note that values are not
+            cumulative.
+        power : float or iterable of float
+            Power of the reactor in [W]. A single value indicates that the power
+            is constant over all timesteps. An iterable indicates potentially
+            different power levels for each timestep. For a 2D problem, the
+            power can be given in [W/cm] as long as the "volume" assigned to a
+            depletion material is actually an area in [cm^2].
+        chain_file : str, optional
+            Path to the depletion chain XML file.  Defaults to the
+            :envvar:`OPENMC_DEPLETE_CHAIN` environment variable if it exists.
+        method : {'cecm', 'predictor'}
+             Integration method used for depletion
+        **kwargs
+            Keyword arguments passed to integration function (e.g.,
+            :func:`openmc.deplete.integrator.cecm`)
+
         """
+        # Create OpenMC transport operator
+        op = dep.Operator(self.geometry, self.settings, chain_file)
+
+        # Perform depletion
+        _DEPLETE_METHODS[method](op, timesteps, power, **kwargs)
+
+    def export_to_xml(self):
+        """Export model to XML files."""
 
         self.settings.export_to_xml()
         self.geometry.export_to_xml()
@@ -166,7 +199,7 @@ class Model(object):
         Parameters
         ----------
         **kwargs
-            All keyword arguments are passed to openmc.run
+            All keyword arguments are passed to :func:`openmc.run`
 
         Returns
         -------