Meringue of lemon meringue pie won't rise-- need help?

i tried to make a lemon meringue pie. everything went good. i tried twice and i could not get the egg whites,cream of tarter and sugar to rise. i tried twice. -- i asked at work and i got the answers of metal pan and beaters had to be refrigerated to make it work. also i got that the eggs were not fresh enough and i would have to get them at a farm.. is there anyone that makes these pies and knows how its done