Abstract: An improved rotating drum dryer and/or mixer for drying or mixing materials on a continuous basis is disclosed. The dryer and/or mixer includes a rotatable drum having an inlet end for receiving materials and a forced air burner for directing a stream of heated gases axially through the drum. A heat dispersing means such as an array of spaced deflecting bars is disposed downstream from the source of heated gases. The dispersing means provides the interior of the drum with a more uniform radial temperature distribution and minimizes the central high temperature zone normally associated with such drum dryers and/or mixers. Minimization of the central high temperature zone results in lowered production of smoke and other noxious emissions by an operating dryer or mixer.