Grill Gloves & Chimney Starter

Got a nice blister because I keep burning through my grill gloves. It's a dual problem, my chimney starter handle burns off every time and I'm just grabbing the metal. I only burn sticks. Leftover coals at the bottom, new split logs on top, and I've used the OK Joe's chimney from Academy but it 1) always loses the handle grip as it melts off and 2) the damn grate thing at the bottom inevitably warps and becomes unset from the cylinder, and I'm always bending the damn thing to get it back in.

So - recs for gloves and starter? The wider, shallower chimney that I see at Academy isn't going to work for the firewood.