UB,
a practical thought seeing the photo. the chiminea produces quite a lot of ash which needs cleaning out on a regular basis (i use a small pot to scoop). the mesh also allows the spent ash to fall from the burning stuff and thereby allow a good air flow to it.
the mesh and air flow i don't see as too important for the set up as i guess it will be used as a single fire and cook (as opposed to be kept running for several hrs as per chiminea). the hole for cleaning out does look a bit small.