The Mahana 42 (PL42VO) from Montigo
The patio is where everyone ends up anyway. This keeps them out there past October. The Montigo Mahana PL42VO is a 42" outdoor-only vent-free gas fireplace: 28,000 BTU/hr on natural gas (PL42VONE) or propane (PL42VOLE), a 37 1/4" x 14 1/8" viewing area, a 42" x 27 1/4" x 11 5/8" framing cavity, $6,929, and a 15-year firebox and burner warranty. There is no vent pipe to buy, route, or hide: the unit is certified to ANSI Z21.97-2014 / CSA 2.41-2014 as an Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliance, so you frame it into an outdoor wall — or drop it into the optional PL42VOBE stainless enclosure — run gas and 120V power, and skip the vent run entirely. It is rated for outdoor duty down to -40 degrees F, with built-in fans, a concealed burner under a bed of firestones, and 304 stainless steel construction.
Choose the PL42VO if the patio is where everyone ends up anyway, and you want to keep them out there past October. Because there is no vent to route, you put the fire where the seating is — a patio wall, a covered porch, an outdoor kitchen, a standalone enclosure — instead of where a flue happens to fit. That is the whole point: siting drives the install, not vent routing, and you are not paying for a chimney chase either. A glass door and safety screen barrier are standard, it may sit on a wood or combustible deck, and corner installs are zero-clearance at the corners.
It is not right if you need an indoor fireplace — this unit is outdoor-only and must never be installed in an enclosed space such as a home, garage, camper, or tent. It needs a 120 VAC GFCI-protected outlet within 3 ft of its control box, so it will not run without power. A drainage plan is required for both in-wall and standalone installs. In the USA it is approved to 2,000 ft elevation (4,500 ft in Canada); above 2,000 ft in the USA, a high-altitude conversion kit through a dealer is required. And it is not field-convertible between fuels, so pick natural gas or propane at order time.
Specifications
Framing is 42" wide x 27 1/4" high x 11 5/8" deep; the unit itself measures 43 5/8" across the face, 28 7/8" tall, and 13" deep. Keep combustibles 36" from the front of the screen, allow 36" from the top of the opening to any ceiling, and 6" to a perpendicular side wall; framing clearances are 0" top, 1" sides, and 0" back per Montigo's spec sheet. Full combustible construction is allowed, including combustible facing (which must not extend past the opening) and mantels within the mantel-profile chart. Gas connects to the 1/2" inlet on the left side through the supplied 1/2" FPT shutoff valve — natural gas needs 5.5" w.c. minimum inlet pressure, propane 11" w.c. Electrical is a 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 5 A control box with a 30-ft communication cable; a qualified electrician and a certified gas installer are required. Ignition is automatic hot surface ignition (HSI) with two air-proving switches and a flame-loss shutdown — the fans must prove airflow before the burner lights. The front glass is High Temperature type per Montigo's spec sheet.
Mahana 42 vs. Mahana 60
The PL60VO steps up to 47,000 BTU/hr and a 61 1/4" x 14 1/8" viewing area in a 66" framing width — framing height (27 1/4") and depth (11 5/8") are identical to this 42, so the decision comes down to wall width and heat. The Mahana 60 starts at $11,729 versus $6,929 here. Both use the same RXM40VACVO remote, MCLEDVO LED kit, and LGS59 log set; the size-specific parts on this page are the PL42VOBE enclosure and RR150SS speckled stones.
Answers to common questions
Does the Mahana 42 need a vent, flue, or chimney?
No. There is no vent pipe, flue, or chimney of any kind. The PL42VO is certified to ANSI Z21.97-2014 / CSA 2.41-2014 as an Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliance, which is why it is outdoor-only: the open-air location handles combustion air and exhaust. What you plan instead of a vent run is drainage. The unit has two drainage holes on each side, a drain system must be planned for both in-wall and standalone installs, and in-wall installs must be flashed and caulked so water stays out of the wall.
Where can I install it — covered porch, screened porch, deck?
Outdoors only, never in an enclosed space such as a home, garage, camper, or tent. Under a covered porch, the space needs at least one full side plus the top half of a second side open to outside ventilation; a screened porch needs at least two full sides screened with more than 75% open-area screen. It may be installed on a wood or combustible deck, and it is rated for outdoor use down to -40 degrees F. It is approved for the USA and Canada, including the State of Massachusetts. Keep 12" of clearance to grade where the fireplace or framing penetrates the building envelope or where snow may accumulate.
Will it work during a power outage?
No. Ignition is automatic hot surface ignition (HSI) powered by the 120 VAC control box, and the built-in fans must prove airflow through two air-proving switches before gas will flow. No power means no flame. Plan for a GFCI-protected outlet within 3 ft of the control box. On windy days, switch the fan to slow speed to help keep the flame lit.
What’s included, what’s required, and what’s optional?
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Included in the box: the glass door and safety screen barrier (the screen must be installed — never operate without it), a concealed burner with 6 lbs of firestone media, built-in fans, a waterproof external control box with a 3-ft power cord and 30-ft communication cable, a 1/2" FPT gas shutoff valve, and stainless louvres.
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Required to complete the installation, purchased separately: nothing — the Mahana is ventless, so there is no vent pipe or termination to buy.
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Optional: the RXM40VACVO on/off remote, the MCLEDVO LED light kit, RR150SS speckled stones, the LGS59 driftwood log set, and the stainless enclosure.
Can I switch between natural gas and propane later?
No. The Mahana 42 ships as PL42VONE (natural gas) or PL42VOLE (propane) and is not field-convertible, so choose your fuel at order time. Output is the same 28,000 BTU/hr on either fuel. Natural gas needs 5.5" w.c. minimum inlet pressure (3.5" manifold); propane needs 11" w.c. (10" manifold).
Can I frame it with wood and finish it with combustible materials?
Yes. The Mahana is listed for full combustible construction, including combustible facing — the facing just must not extend past the fireplace opening. Combustible mantels and moldings are allowed within the mantel-profile chart. Keep any ceiling at least 36" above the opening, combustibles 36" from the front of the screen, and perpendicular side walls 6" away; corners are zero-clearance.
Is the warranty valid if I buy online?
Yes — buying here is a dealer purchase. The Torch Guys is 1 of only 3 authorized Montigo e-commerce dealers in the United States, and we file warranty claims on your behalf. Coverage runs 15 years on the firebox and main burner; 1 year on the gas valve, controls, electrical, media, glass, and screen; and 1 year on labor. The warranty is transferable, the unit must remain at its original install location, and Montigo requires annual service by an authorized dealer.
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