Reddit reviews TTLIFE BBQ Gloves - Grilling Cooking Gloves - 932°F Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves - 1 Pair (Long with Narrow Thumb) - 14" Long - for Extra Forearm Protection

I’ve used these forever. Absolutely love them.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01B4H02W8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_OZMUBbPCGYMDG

Not the cheapest option- you could buy another chimney for the price, but I got a pair of these gloves for Christmas, I haven't used them yet, but my brother got a pair just like them and I watched him use them to stick his hand in the firebox and move around a chunk of wood he was trying to get burning. I'm not sure what temperature burning charcoal gets up to, but they're supposed to be heat resistant up to 932F.

Otherwise, I noticed in a picture you linked you set it on the charcoal to get started, you're playing with fire there (i didn't mean to go with a pun, but it works). I think that's the other section of your smoker sitting next to it in the photos? Why not just sit your chimney on the cooking surface of it while you're getting it going? When I'm starting charcoals with mine, I just sit it on top of the cooking surface of my smoker.

Otherwise, I can't think of much anything cheap/easily gotten to replace the handle, so maybe just some pliers or a vice grip or something?