Most definitely. For me one of the biggest revelations for cooking damn near everything was "of COURSE moisture ruins the ability to get a good sear, how did I

Most definitely. For me one of the biggest revelations for cooking damn near everything was "of COURSE moisture ruins the ability to get a good sear, how did I not realize that before" So many things come packaged wet, or at least moist, and then I'd get a pan ripping hot... and still have a mediocre sear. It's something I learned for cooking steaks but has been pretty universally applicable.