Whether they are electric, or gas powered, infrared tunnels are as diverse and specific as the applications they are used for.
The first main application of infrared technology in the food industry is the melting or roasting application. The treatment is called browning for creams, gratin for prepared dishes, melting for cheeses (pizza, croque-monsieur, etc.), crusting for sandwich breads, braising or roasting for meats, caramelization or glazing for sweets and pastries, etc.
The second main application of infrared tunnels in the food industry is the core or surface pasteurization of very different products, from bakeries and pastries to meats or prepared meals.
However, browning and pasteurization are not the single applications of the infrared in food. A lot of drying installations are designed for biscuits and cheeses. Infrared industrial ovens are also manufactured for cooking little thickness products.
The range of industrial infrared ovens in food is wide. A very specific but with numerous references in the world is the surface defrosting on big bakeries lines of production.