Abstract: Disclosed is an infrared dryer which comprises at least one infrared heater and a pair of mutually parallel air troughs which guide ambient air from an intake end of the dryer, along the top of the dryer, and empty air into a collector box of the air plenum at the downstream end of the dryer. One of the air troughs runs along the top of the infrared heater and is ported to accept effluent air from the heating chamber, and the other of the air troughs extends along the upper surface of the dryer and serves to continually cool the upper surface or cover of the dryer.