A system and apparatus for controlling airflow in large industrial forced-convection ovens that are used for cooking, smoking, drying, and processing meat and food products. The system and apparatus reduce temperature, color, and yield variation within the ovens, and also reduce cooking times and power requirements. The system and apparatus use variable-width supply-air slots and dual, side-mounted return ducts to precisely control the airflow within the oven so that the air can be directed to the slowest cooking areas in the oven.

A system and apparatus for controlling airflow in large industrial forced-convection ovens that are used for cooking, smoking, drying, and processing meat and food products. The system and apparatus reduce temperature, color, and yield variation within the ovens, and also reduce cooking times and power requirements. The system and apparatus use variable-width supply-air slots and dual, side-mounted return ducts to precisely control the airflow within the oven so that the air can be directed to the slowest cooking areas in the oven.

A shuttle kiln according to certain aspects includes at least one flue channel and multiple flue risers in fluid communication with the flue channel, and at least one shuttle defining multiple exhaust shafts arranged above the multiple flue risers, wherein at least one radiation blockers is arranged above outlet ports of the at least one shuttle. Such a configuration blocks line-of-sight radiant heat transfer between (i) heated surfaces above the shuttle within the kiln housing and (ii) outlet ports of the exhaust shafts, thereby enhancing radiant heat retention and reducing temperature variability within a kiln cavity of the shuttle kiln.