Hole in Steel Burn Pot - buy a new one or upgrade the bottom?

Hello
The original burn pot liner for this Enviro Empress was not Stainless Steel just Steel.
OEM part # 50-1401
This is not like the burn pot liner with no sides like other Enviro models have. This has a front and a back plus a right and left side that fits into a cradle.
As you can see in the 1st pic the bottom has burned through and pellets fall out and block the fresh air flow needed to burn the pellets properly.
The new regular steel burn pot is $130.
How about replacing the regular steel bottom with a new stainless steel bottom for a nice upgrade?
The trick is what should the welder setting be?
Must be a lot hotter ARC than a steel Voltage setting?
The auto preset for a new 11 guage or 1/8” perforated steel is wire speed 477 imp at 17.5 vac.
To fast and not much penetration!
How about 275 ipm at 24 vac which is the maximum manual voltage setting for 1/8” steel?
Pic 1 - Burned out hole in the bottom
Pic 2 - Original Enviro Steel burnpot 50-1401
Pic 3 - Cutting out the rest of the old bottom!
Pic 4 - Look no bottom!
Pic 5 - Cutting a square piece of perforated STainless Steel
Pic 6 - auto preset setting for 10 guage Steel no preset for 11 guage!
Pic 7 - Manual range of settings on web for welding 1/8” or 11 guage Steel.
Pic 8 - Good MiG setting here for 1/8” SS using C25
Pic 9 - Welding Stainless Steel to reg Steel!
Pic 10 & 11 - It worked! Upgrade done!
Given that the Empress FirePlace Insert has a special burnpot liner with sides and not available in High Ash or Stainless Steel,
Will this Mod last longer than getting another burnpot with the old Steel bottom?
Maybe so!

 

The results tell how well it works!

 

FYI
When building a sky scraper which method is stronger For holding the steel skeleton together?
Bolting
Or
Welding
See answer here!!
601 Lexington Ave New York NY
The skyscraper that almost fell over!

 

Nice scarf! Lol