Steam box/ bending question

[Tylerdurden]

In my experience using a traditional steam box I have found that the most common setup has very wet steam. In theory and practice dry steam, the drier the better transfers heat much faster.
I know it is possible to steam a book of matches for a period of time, pull them out very hot but they will stike a flame right off the bat.
My question is: is it preferable to have wet steam or dry steam?
Will I get the same properties of bend when done with dry steam or is it best to have it dripping with condensate coming out of the box?

The reason I am asking is I am thinking of modifying my setup to use a spray condensate method in order to speed the process and make the fuel consumption more effecient. I don't want to go down that road if I am defeating the purpose of wet steam.

[Ron Carter]

Most discussions of steaming center on trying to find green wood or as a next step air dried. Very low moisture content in bending stock is considered a liability. If heat alone was the mechanism of choice for bending the steam box would have been replaced by an oven years ago. I have steam bent white oak, ash and cedar with no problems using wet steam. Once the box is loaded and up to temperature a single person can't work fast enough to run out of material if you put in a new rib ench time a steamed one comes out.

edit for fat fnger spelling

[Tylerdurden]

Thanks, I wasn't sure if there was a happy medium and I knew the answer was out there.