I'm in the process of building a steam box and I'm looking for environmentally friendly insulation options. Most guides suggest using spray foam for insulating between the exhaust vent pipe and the walls, but I want to avoid that since I'm planning to build a better one down the line. I've heard about using spray latex foam, but I'm open to other ideas too. I previously experimented with a mix of compostable packing peanuts and PET material, but that ended poorly when they got tangled in my drill while boring holes. Has anyone here had success with using different insulation for steam boxes?
1 Answer
I’ve worked with steam before, and it’s a blast! How big is your steam box? If you're using plans with a vent pipe, it might not even need insulation. I’ve made a few boxes from wood and foam board, and for small pieces, I just use a plastic bin with the steamer hose slightly open for steam! Bigger boxes require more steam, but you don't necessarily need to insulate unless you find it’s leaking too much steam.
Thanks for the advice! I was worried about over-engineering. Mine's about five feet long as that's the length of the exhaust piping from Home Depot. I think I'll skip the insulation for now unless I run into issues.