Custom heat deflector for Pk: Input needed

[Zrschaef]

So I have access to a laser and some scrap 1/4 plate at work and I want to make a heat deflector with an elevated grate for smoking similar to these pictures for my vintage PK. My question is would it be better to make it like the picture or only have an opening on one side to make it similar to a reverse flow?  I will also make it to where I can use firebricks if I want instead of the steel to deflect the heat. Hopefully this explanation makes sense.

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