The directions said 60 minutes, I took a bit longer than that. I wouldve benefitted from more pictures with the directions, but I eventually figured it out. Lighting it was another trick, expecting the heater to light up like a grill, but it only lights up initially a pilot light, then you turn the gas to high and it lights up all around. The second picture is me pointing to where the pilot light is located. The heater produces pretty good amount of heat and looks pretty cool too. If youre mechanically inclined, youll probably have no issues putting it together. If youre just a guy...read the directions carefully and take your time... Id buy another one now that I know how to operate it and put it together.