Been there, done that. I think with WSM owners or BBQ guys in general - its not a question of IF you'll get burned but WHEN. The one thing I've noticed though, I've NEVER even come close to being burned when handling my chimney and I never wear gloves (cuz I don't have any). Even when dumping a chimney full of red-hot coals...no burns. Now that I've said that, the next time I q I'll probably burn my whole arm off.