So my father gave me an old Dutch oven inherited from my grandmother. I test fit it in the 14.5 and it's a perfect fit! Even with the lid on, it clears the top grate by a couple inches, and it's a few inches above the coals. I'm thinking chili or stew fixin's in the Dutch oven simmering away, meat smoking above, drippings caught and savored.
Previously, I'd used the pot from my 3qt instant pot to roast veggies and make stew. That sat inside the water pan, and just cleared the grate. The heat transfer was almost non-existent. It was imperfect to say the least, but it worked... Kinda. This seems a much better solution.
Has anyone tried this? Does it work? Is it futile? Am I beating a dead horse?