Larger volumes of air are being used in drying systems to reduce the temperature loss due to evaporation. These larger volumes add to the power, heat units and emission control costs. With the Hot Shelf Drying System, a reasonable volume of air at very low power costs is used and the temperature drop can be avoided by adding BTU's to the drying air as it passes through the system. This is done through an arrangement of heat chambers between the shelves from which heat is transferred to the drying air. The heat chamber air with its remaining heat units goes back to mix point and becomes a part of the primary drying air.