Abstract: Method of and apparatus for use in drying materials in a dryer through which the material is conveyed and there subjected to heat which decreases from a maximum adjacent the infeed end of the dryer to a minimum adjacent the outfeed end thereof. A controlled small volume of air is forced towards the infeed end of the dryer from the outfeed end thereof and is repeatedly brought in contact with the conveyed material substantially without added air and with the percentage of moisture carried thereby increasing until, adjacent the infeed end, a high level of sensible heat is available to effect the heating of the material and the removal of its moisture which is carried through a heat exchanger in the exhaust. The heat is recovered from the moisture laden exhaust by the heat exchanger in a manner enabling the temperature of the air when exhausted, to be at a wanted level and the recovered heat used to increase drying efficiency.