Microwave heating system with suppression tunnel and related features

A method, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a quantity of material at a first conveyor unit, wherein the material passes through at an inlet microwave suppression tunnel before entering the first conveyor unit;
• transporting the quantity of material along the first conveyor unit causing microwaves emitted by at least one microwave generator operatively connected to a respective microwave guide to process the quantity of material within the first conveyor unit when the emitted microwaves are absorbed by at least a portion of the quantity of material at a first processing step within the first conveyor unit;
• and
• causing the processed quantity of material to exit through an outlet microwave suppression tunnel,
• wherein at least one of the inlet or the outlet microwave suppression tunnel comprises at least one flexible and/or movable mesh flap within the respective inlet/outlet microwave suppression tunnel,
• wherein the at least one mesh flap is configured to absorb, deflect, and/or block microwave energy, and
• wherein at least a portion of the at least one mesh flap is configured to be deflected as the quantity of material passes through the respective inlet/outlet microwave suppression tunnel and then to return to a resting, closed position when the quantity of material is no longer passing through the respective inlet/outlet microwave suppression tunnel.