Right! Now that you mention it I remember seeing that in videos before (bending around hot pipe).
Thanks that means I can build a much smaller steam box, very good news.
Unfortunately the choice of wood is settled.
I'm thinking of maybe splitting the thickness into 2 or 3 layers if it doesn't want to bend as is. Then steam bend them and once they've cooled down and settled, glue those layers together. I'd rather not have glue involved though, as I will later stain it and don't want to see glue lines.