Patent ID: 8445049

Claim:
A method of treating a meat product to provide an extended shelf life, comprising the steps of: a) providing a infrared oven having a plurality of infrared heaters therein and a plurality of rollers spaced below the heaters and means for rotating the rollers; b) heating the infrared heaters to a temperature of about 1,600 F; c) placing a substantially round shape or ovoid shaped meat product on at least some of the rollers of the infrared oven for a period of time sufficient to kill any bacteria on the exterior of the meat product; d) rotating the meat product during heating by rotating the rollers; e) heating air within the oven to a temperature in the range of 750 F to 800 F using the infrared heaters located above the rollers; and f) heating the rollers to a temperature in the range of 500 F to 550 F using the infrared heaters located above the rollers.