Hi Mike, you're right in observing that adding steam is key to getting the type of crispy, crust you're looking for in your baguettes. Check out this blog post on adding steam to your baking, for some tips on various methods. In addition, we've recently added a new blog post from Maurizio Leo that might just bring your baguettes to a new level. His steaming process is a bit more involved, but he does get beautiful, crusty results! Leaving your baguettes in the oven to cool will definitely harden the crust, so it's worth experimenting with, but I prefer to add steam and get the crust the way I want it during the baking process. 

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