The little smokey joe's sometimes have issues getting enough air for really hot cooking, even with bottom and top vents all the way open. Usually, if I want a really good sear on both sides of a steak I need to leave the lid cock-eyed or completely off to keep the coals red hot.
I haven't heard of a problem like this with any of there other grill models, so if you don't have a smokey joe then try using the advice above and report back.