[CajunKnight]

Well I am just in thought from building a fire in a cast iron stove or fireplace or even a camp fire. You have a cold burning fire. This could very well be caused by wood that is not seasoned peoperly. Wet wood will burn but it doesnt get hot. I had that problem on year roasting a whole hog. I could not get the fire desired. So at 2am I went and borrowed wood from a neighbors house and a blazing we went. Of course I was calling said neighbor at about 6am since I knew he would be up by then and invited him to come and have some pork.
Moisture in the wood acts like a thermostat. Take a vertical smoker and add a pan of water and you rarely have to worry about it getting to hot.

What type of wood were you using?
Was it smoking a lot?
Did it crack and pop a lot?
Did you hear a sizzle like bacon frying while fire was burning?