Unbox and set it up

Build the cart and lift the grill in

The manual and the quick start guide, for the cart 201027. The grill alone weighs about 35 kg (store; the 2021 catalogue says 38 kg).

1. Lay the cart cradle upside down on a soft pad and bolt the 3 legs to it with the fittings bag (the quick start guide: "Basic & Junior require legs to be bolted to the cradle").
2. Fit the 3 castors, turn the cart over and lock them. All three lock (store).
3. Lift the grill with two people, in gloves. The quick start guide: "Because of its weight, we recommend the grill unit be carried by two people."
4. Carry it by the two side handles on the lower band, never by the bamboo handle or the lid. Monolith does not name the side handles as lifting points; this guide reads them that way.
5. Lower it into the cradle with the draft door to the front, centred between the two front legs.
6. Push the cap onto the lid with the lettering to the front, over the thermometer.

Fit the inside parts, protector stone first

The manual's order, with the quick start guide.

1. Lay the protector stone flat on the floor of the base. The manual: "Junior only: put the protector stone in the firebox on the floor of the body."
2. Set the one-piece firebox in over it with its front notch (the ash opening) exactly in front of the draft door.
3. Set the fire ring on top with its recess exactly in front of the chip-feeder flap.
4. Lay the cast-iron charcoal grate on the ledge inside the firebox (and the optional basket on it).
5. Lay the grid on the fire ring for direct grilling, or fit the deflector on its lift first for indirect cooking.

Where to stand it

• Outdoors only. Never indoors: the manual warns of suffocation.
• Nothing overhead. Not under a canopy or a patio roof. The manual: the air coming out of the grill is very hot too.
• Firm, level ground that carries the weight, away from anything that burns.
• Room behind it. Monolith's drawing for the Junior asks for at least 200 mm from a wall behind to the base, so the lid can open, and 1000 mm clear above it.

Check your local rules on open fires as well (the manual).