Just before placing your bread in the oven, spray the bread all over with water, then slash as required.

One way to create steam in a home oven, is to do so with a cast iron frying pan filled with water. (Cast iron is more effective because it gets hotter). To do: before preheating, place a cast iron pan on the bottom of the oven. Preheat the oven and place the bread dough in the oven to bake. Standing as far as possible away from the oven, fill with 1/2-inch of hot water. This will cause an immediate burst of steam. Quickly close the oven door to trap the steam, and do not open for at least 10 minutes. Leave the pan in the oven and remove when the oven has cooled.

Some bakers throw ice cubes on the bottom of the stove to create steam or place ice cubes on an old baking sheet and place it on the floor or bottom shelf of your oven. As the ice melts, it will form steam in the oven, which will give your loaves a nice crispy crust.