Wondering ... what would happen if you made another, but with a smaller center hole. The size rectangle for a gasser's #6415 drip pan (5 x 7 1/2") Or smaller! And a steeper slope/more gap on the sides ... more airflow ... used not for smoking but for a large indirect/infrared cook surface.
As far as having a smaller hole in the center--
that is exactly what I should have done. The hole in this plate was based on a lasagna pan, because that's what I always used under pork shoulders. It didn't occur to me until after I had cut the hole that I should have based it on something smaller, since the plate funnels drippings into the pan. Using such a big pan is only necessary without the plate. So...next time.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean as far as having more airflow by steepening the slope. Having an air gap around the perimeter, yes--but if you want to cook infrared, you can just dump a whole chimney of charcoal in place of the fuse, toss the plate on, and the hole in the center would allow for plenty of airflow to maintain a hot fire.
Start manufacturing and I'll take one.
That's a possibility.
Cool idea and great execution. Can you explain how you accomplished the slope to the drip pan?
A metal brake to make two bends, with the bends perpendicular to each other, crossing in the center of the plate. If that makes sense. Then flattened in a press to help smooth it back out. The slope is around a 1/4" drop from the perimeter to the center. Actually, that was my goal. I think it's close enough.