Oh mine isn't the most optimal set up by far but it got the job done and the results were great. You would definitely benefit with a wall of fire brick down there, they absorb heat like nothing else.
Just trying to talk you out of that smoke n' sear and save you some money
Yeah. SNS is $100 after shipping and I can pick up 6 fire bricks from Lowes for $30, and if the water pan works I already have it so it'd be $0. It'd be nice to be able to use the top and bottom rack at the same time but it also seems like it would be a pain in the ass in practice. I love the fuse method but I don't like how it limits my cooking area so much, nor having to rotate things.
I was looking at the Vortex as a cheaper alternative and while it isn't as nice in a lot of ways, it really would make a perfect way to cook on my flat bottom wok. It reminds me of the WokMon except with charcoal instead of a gas range. Then again I could always just mod my chimney with tin snips or a rotary tool to not snuff the flames and get some less intense heat on the sides of the wok.
Decisions decisions.
Edit: On the other hand after reading Amazon reviews I do see the benefits more. The thick steel insulating it would be really nice for extending my grilling/smoking season. The longer cook time that's stable would be great for finally being able to do an overnight smoke. It also is a more simple solution with smooth edges. At least I have over a month to decide.