Yeah, a little of this is fine, but don't let it cook too much.
I went from clamping to flat or reflexed boards with shims (to give me the ability to straighten as I heat treat) to taking the time to make up an actual caul for each bow type and each kind of curve I'm working on. I make them "Perry reflexed", using 2-3 cheap pine 1x2 slats or cut-offs and bend them with blocks and clamps, then drive in a bunch of grabber screws in so they hold the position like a laminated bow does. If they are narrow, it helps prevent the heat reflecting back as much, and if they are long enough I still get good enough control to crank out lateral bends.