Let’s talk about halogen heating lamps—but not the kind you’d find in a living room. These are purpose-built workhorses, designed for food applications. They’re not just lights; they’re infrared powerhouses, built to blast precise, controllable heat right where you need it—onto the product or packaging.
The whole point in food processing is simple: heat the surface fast, without turning the inside into a mess. And that’s exactly what these lamps do. They take electricity and turn it into intense, shortwave infrared radiation. It’s direct, it’s focused, and it gets the job done.
Power, voltage, and the right fit
We size these lamps to match your equipment—how much heat you need and how much space you have. Most run between 2500W and 3000W, and they’re often built for higher voltages, like 400V. Why does that matter? Higher voltage means lower current for the same power, which keeps wiring manageable and reduces energy loss inside tight, compact machines. And the tube length? Typically around 300mm. That length isn’t random—it concentrates the heat into a small, predictable zone. So you’re not warming the whole line, just the exact spot that needs it. These lamps run hot by design. That’s the trade-off for speed. They ramp up fast and respond immediately when you change the temperature setting. But that also means your machine has to be ready for the heat. Proper cooling, airflow, and reflector layout aren’t optional—they’re essential. If the surroundings overheat, the lamp won’t last as long, and your control gets shaky.
Built to last: quartz, the halogen cycle, and the right connections
The heart of the lamp is a quartz envelope. Quartz handles the shock of rapid on-off cycles without cracking, and it lets shortwave infrared pass through cleanly. Inside, a halogen fill does something clever—it creates a regenerative cycle. As the filament heats, tungsten evaporates, then redeposits instead of blackening the envelope. The result? Consistent output over time, even after repeated cycles. No dimming. No mess. We use R7s end caps on the tube. It’s a double-ended linear connector that gives you solid contact and easy mounting in reflector setups. It’s a standard industrial fit, so in most cases, the lamp drops right in as a direct replacement.
Why food processors lean on these lamps
In food processing, these lamps shine for surface heating, moisture control, and sealing. Picture sealing film onto trays, heating packaging laminate, or pre-heating components before forming. The shortwave output hits thin layers fast, so you heat the target without soaking the material underneath. What you end up with is a heat source that fits in tight spaces, turns on instantly, and repeats cycles with steady, reliable output. We build these for harsh environments, but—no surprise—they still need the right cooling and alignment. Keep them within the rated voltage and thermal limits, and they deliver the kind of infrared heat you can plan around, shift after shift.