steam bending

[bobbykelley]

Whats the least amount of steam heat you could use to bend wood? Don't know if I can get my setup up to 200. Thanks.

[JW_Halverson]

If you can't get your water over 200 degrees F, then you ain't got no steam! 

I went down and picked up a single burner electric hotplate at a 2nd hand store for $4.00 and used it until it died years later.  When I couldn't find another in the second hand stores I bought one brand new for $17. I use that for beer brewing and it will boil a 6 gallon pot of water! 

[bobbykelley]

I was more referring to my steam box. After running it for about 45 mins it only reached 160. Would that work?

[Will H]

Not sure what your steam box is but I would stick a bow blank in there or some similar sized scrap wood and see if it works... If the wood feels like you could tie it in a knot after an hour or so of steaming Id say yeah, it works.