Okay guys, really need some advice here. Im stuck and parts are starting to roll in and Im anxious to start putting everything together. So many ways to mount the burner. Trying to do this on the cheap but if I have to spend a little money to make it look nice thats okay too. I do have an old crappy baking sheet that can be cut up or laid in the bottom for protection as well if needed. So many questions, not enough time. The goal is to get the burner as close to the bottom as safely possible.
Option #1:
I could cut a big hole in the inner bottom of the cabinet? (likely the cleanest looking install with most room inside but unsure if aluminum interior will hold up to heat from element/burner)
Option #2
I could cut a whole in the full sized baking sheet, either right side up or upside down? (this is what woodcutter has done and suggested THANKS FOR THIS IDEA only instead of buying sheet metal and having it cut to size I just use what I already have. The cavity if laid upside down could be filled with cement board for insulation between burner and aluminum walls but obviously this would not look at nice as the first option and the burner would be mounted up higher in the box, about an inch)
Option #3
I could use 1/2 or the upper piece of the hot plate housing? If so, is it okay being painted white like it is? (this is the least visually appealing and the burner would be up even higher making it the option i like least. I also do not know if the white paint on the hot plate is safe at higher temps of say 250 for multiple hours)
Option #4
It has been suggested that I place cement board/hardi backer on the bottom to better insulate the Aluminum from heat...can I cut a hole in that and mount the burner right in there? (not even sure if this is an option but if so, again would probably look less visually pleasing compared to other options.
Option #5
Something entirely different that I have not thought of or do not know about? Maybe there is an "off-the-shelf" burner housing/box that I can buy made of shiney stainless that can be mounted to the bottom and will solve all of my problems?
Additionally, what would one use as a drip/heat deflector so drippings do not get directly onto the element and how close can that be mounted?
