The idea of bolts through the fire pan didn't work in my mind, I'm sure
many of you used it, but I have been firing it up in the back yard, in
sand so as to not stain the porch, and the bolt heads just didn't seem
sturdy enough for me - plus I would have gone through the hassle of the
wrong size, cutting all-thread etc (and yea, I'm lazy)
So it occurred to me that the water pan was about the same height as
the fire pan and the Academy Store where I bought the ECB had
replacement pans for $4.99. I bought another pan, drilled a hole in
the bottom of the fire pan and a water pan, put them so the
bottom-outsides were touching and bolted them together. I then drilled
holes through the bottoms and then on the outside of the water pan (new
base). The other benefit here is that if I need to choke down a bit I
can close the holes by moving the fire pan by an inch or so either way.
Markings on the pan would signal open - but if it is just paint then
they will burn off (thought of that after I painted the lines)
I also straightened the legs and will replace with 3/4" steel as
another poster suggested - also didn't like the tripping hazzard of
putting them on the outside - although that may just be in my mind.
So now the new water pan sits upside down with air holes, bolted on top
is the fire pan with holes drilled through it, and the water pan
beneath it, legs are straight so the top comes off - and all for 4.99
and a bolt that was lying around the garage.
feels real sturdy, and doesn't look half bad.
2-kewl