water pans for Brinkmann smoke n grill

I need a replacement water pan for my brinkmann smoke and grill. the replacement pans i found cost $27!! Are there other alternatives. Cant I just find a large pan that will fit, like an old wok or something?

What have others done?

Also what do you do when the charcoal pan rusts through? Just line it with hardware cloth and be sure it is on a safe, non combustable surface?