The invention relates to a method for processing heated material (1), wherein the material is guided along a conveying path and is covered and protected against heat loss in the region of the conveying path by at least one reflector element (2), wherein the reflector element (2) is cooled by means of a liquid. According to the invention, in order to guarantee efficient cooling of the reflector without costly measures, the liquid is glycol or comprises glycol or the liquid is alcohol or comprises alcohol or the liquid is thermal oil.