Drying apparatus and methods

A drying apparatus, comprising:

• a support surface which allows radiant heat to substantially pass therethrough;
• a dry radiant heat source which is exposed to the support surface and configured to direct radiant heat thereto to heat the product, wherein the radiant heat source is configured to be proportionally modulated with respect to the quantity of heat directed thereby toward the support surface;
• a gap defined between the heat source and the support surface;
• a controller which is in communication with the heat source and which is configured to proportionally modulate the heat source to regulate the amount of radiant heat directed thereby toward the support surface;
• a sensor which is in communication with the controller and which is configured to measure the chemical composition of at least a portion of the product while the product is supported on the support surface, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the amount of radiant heat directed toward the support surface in direct proportion to the measurements made by the sensor.