An experimental study has been performed at CRM with impinging burners to heat quickly low carbon steels without oxidizing their surfaces. The thermal performances of various burners (maximum heat transfer of ~370 kW/m2 on impinged surface) were studied and compared to data collected from classical direct flame furnaces. Simulations permit to consider an interesting reduction of furnace size. The surface characterization indicates the possibility to heat steel strip without oxidizing up to 840°C. It would then be possible to anneal steel strips at higher temperature than it is actually performed in the direct flame furnaces.