Can't get high temps to cook steak

Unknown

I have cleaned all the ash out my large egg and am using BGE lump charcoal, but can only seem to get the temp up to about 550; it used to go up to 750 to 800. What am I doing wrong.

Steeler Fan

Running Cold, this happened to me once, after cleaning and replacing the "guts" did not properly align with the vent hole. Once i corrected that little scew up no more problem.
If not check TNW's web page he has many a FAQ's. this might be one of them

EddieMac

Another issue is the amount of lump in the box....perhaps you need a couple more handfuls there....when doing hot-n-fast cooks I also like to use all the small pieces I've set aside when grading out lump for the longer cooks........[p]Ed McLean
Ft. Pierce, FL

Roudy

Running Cold,[p]Dittos on the other responses, but I've also had good success with a hair dryer blowing into the lower vent. Achieving nuclear temps is a function of air flow, and there's nothing wrong with "goosing" the process with more air.

Ottawa_egger

Roudy,[p]I second the hair dryer trick. It'll get your egg up to nuclear+ temps. I use it on my mini often and get for 0 to nuclear in under 5 mins.[p]Ottawa_egger