Can I use lava rocks in my propane forge to simulate a coke forge.

Hello all. I used to do a bit of smithing a decade or so ago. And I used coal for it. I recently decided to make myself a few tools and got a small propane forge as a gift since propane is pretty easy to find in my area. But I’m not really happy with the heating of it. I feel like the old forge I used (a brake drum off a Ford set down into an old lawnmower deck with black pipe airways. ) wasn’t as difficult to move the metal as it is now. I was wondering if something like lava rocks, which are pretty cheap at Lowe’s, would kinda simulate the effect of centralizing the heat. Because as it stands I’m not too impressed with the new one. I’m certain there are other things I could do to it. But I messed up my leg and am on a severe budget restraint at the moment.

Any budget friendly ideas are welcomed to help this thing heat better. I know a lot of folks use them now. But I’m kinda missing my old setup at this moment.