: I am trying to steam bend my ribs and getting very frustrated with the whole
: thing. The problem I think is that my steam box is not getting enough
: steam in it to do the job. Currently I have a teakettle with the spout
: going straight into the steam box. The wood coming out after 15 - 20
: minutes is only warm and dry. The box Is a 4" diameter 3 1/2' piece
: of PVC wrapped in 2 layers \of 1 1/2" of fiberglass insulation. Does
: anybody have suggestions on how I could generate more steam?

: Thank you
: Richard

I also use a 4" pvc pipe for a steam box. In additon to putting wires across the midsection to keep the wood near the top half, I also drilled two very small vent holes right by the end where the wood goes in. Steam enters through a pipe of bottom half of the other end. My intent is to create a "flow" for the steam to go through the pipe/box and to ensure even distribution of the steam in the box and around the wood.

Something worked, I had no problem steam bending kiln dried red oak, after soaking for a few days. (Actually, I was able to steam bend even without soaking the wood.)

sing