I use the heat gun for most of the bending but sometimes steam works better, not normally for strips, would need an awfully long steam box. I use a wall paper steamer, works great and is "relatively" safe. Nothing with steam is completely safe all the time, use caution with it's use, make real sure the steamer doesn't go dry and always wear leather gloves, steam burns are not fun. (mechanic's nylon gloves and steam are a really bad combination, you can't take them off fast enough when they fill with steam)

I use a PVC tube as a steam box, with the dowels for support. But PVC is very much heat sensitive and needs supported or it'll bend instead of the wood. I have my tube just hose clamped to a 2x4 that's held in a vice, works well.

Bill H.