A particulate material heating system and method for heating particulate material having a core which is heated to a predetermined temperature. The core has a plurality of serpentine passages which receive particulate material from a metering device having a plurality of gears which meter the particulate material into the serpentine passages. Gravity causes the particulate material to pass through the serpentine passages such that the particulate material is agitated as it passes through the serpentine passages, thereby causing a substantial portion of the particulate material to come into contact with the core and become heated.