A batch type vibration aided infrared dryer was developed and studied for drying characteristics of three varieties of high moisture paddy using 0.8 kg each (variety: ADT-37 of slenderness ratio (mu) = 2.70, Shankar of mu = 4.48 and Basmati of mu = 5.77) under the optimum range [Simultaneous parboiling and drying of high moisture paddy using infrared, PhD thesis, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, unpublished] of radiation intensity (3100 and 4290 W/m(2)) and grain bed depth (12 and 16 mm). The drying rate was found to be dependent on levels of radiation intensity. Two distinct drying rates periods were observed i.e., all initial heating up period and falling rate period. The drying took place almost entirely in the falling rate period. For any particular radiation intensity level, the drying rate among the bed depths was found to be insignificant (p < 0.01). The Page model adequately fitted the experimental drying data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.