Thanks Bruce, Jon, and LMichaels for the compliment on the hood obsession. I wasn't sure it was going to work, but what caused me to give it a go was seeing how much gap there was between the lid proper and the side pieces that hold it in place, and seeing how thin the stainless was.
Would I do it again? As I type this using 8 fingers instead of 10, idunno.... But as I sip my beer while I grill some steaks and throw the ball for my dog, I suspect I'll say it was all worth it.