Lava Heat
Lava Heat Opus Lite 32,000 BTU Patio Heater – Heritage Bronze, Natural Gas, Assembled
Lava Heat Opus Lite 32,000 BTU Patio Heater – Heritage Bronze, Natural Gas, Assembled
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
The Opus Lite is the Opus frame scaled for residential terraces, courtyards and lounges, with manual heat control instead of the Opus remote. It is a round cabinet base on two wheels, with a closed door over the controls and the flame running up a borosilicate glass tube inside a round protective guard.
This listing is the Heritage Bronze finish, set up for natural gas, shipped assembled (Lava Heat SKU LHI-OPUSLITE-NG-HERITAGE-ASM).
Its certified input rating is 32,000 BTU/hr, and Lava Heat rates its heat radius at 6 ft all around the heater, about 113 sq. ft. Heat is adjusted by hand at the control valve. Plan ahead: a natural gas model has to be connected to a fixed gas line by a qualified, licensed gas technician. Keep 36" clear of anything combustible on every side and above it.
- Certified input: 32,000 BTU/hr
- Heat radius: 6 ft, about 113 sq. ft.
- Size: 81.5" H x 22" in diameter
- Fuel: Natural gas
- Control: Manual, at the control valve
- Warranty: Lifetime frame, 5 years parts and finish
Availability: Manufacturer backorder. Contact M&K Grills for an availability estimate before planning your installation.

Features
- 32,000 BTU/hr certified input: heat radiates 360 degrees from the glass flame tube, over a rated 6 ft radius (about 113 sq. ft.).
- Measured comfort zone: on a 50°F evening, Lava Heat measured the air at about 74°F at 2 ft, about 66°F at 4 ft, about 60°F at 6 ft from the heater. It calls this its TruBTU standard: measured temperature at a distance rather than a theoretical output figure. Wind, humidity and nearby walls change what you feel.
- Manual Clima-Comfort control: push-button electronic ignition lights a pilot, and the control knob sets the flame between high and low. On high, the flame fills about two-thirds of the glass tube; on low, about a third.
- Natural gas: runs continuously on a fixed gas line, with no cylinder to change. It ships with a 10 ft quick-connect hose.
- Built for coastal air: a 430-grade stainless steel emitter, a marine-grade 6061-T6 aluminum chassis and a borosilicate glass flame tube. Lava Heat salt-spray tests the build for 500 hours to ASTM B117.
- Safety shutoffs: a tilt switch shuts the heater off if it is knocked over, and a thermocouple flame-failure device cuts the gas if the flame goes out.
- Removable glass tube: the borosilicate tube lifts out for cleaning soot or debris.
- Residential and commercial use: outdoors only, with the same warranty terms either way.
Compare all patio and outdoor heaters or shop Lava Heat Italia heaters.
Specifications
| Model | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lava Heat Italia |
| Model | The Opus Lite (LHI-OPUSLITE) |
| Collection | Ravello Lounge |
| Lava Heat SKU | LHI-OPUSLITE-NG-HERITAGE-ASM |
| UPC | 721750387240 |
| Finish | Heritage Bronze |
| Ships | Assembled |
| Heat | |
| Certified input | 32,000 BTU/hr |
| Heat radius | 6 ft, 360°, about 113 sq. ft. |
| Comfort zone (50°F evening) | 74°F at 2 ft, 66°F at 4 ft, 60°F at 6 ft |
| Run time | Continuous on a natural gas supply |
| Controls and safety | |
| Ignition and control | Electronic pilot ignition with manual Clima-Comfort heat control at the control valve |
| Batteries | One AA battery (igniter) |
| Safety | Tilt-switch auto shutoff, thermocouple flame-failure device |
| Size and build | |
| Size | 81.5" H x 22" in diameter |
| Weight | 70 lb (Lava Heat spec sheet) |
| Wheels | Two |
| Materials | 430-grade stainless steel emitter, marine-grade 6061-T6 aluminum chassis and borosilicate glass flame tube |
| Gas | |
| Fuel | Natural gas, from a fixed gas line; ships with a 10 ft quick-connect hose |
| Natural gas pressure | 4-7 in. W.C.; supply line at least 3/4" inside diameter |
| Installation | |
| Clearance to combustibles | 36" on every side and above |
| Use | Outdoors only; residential and commercial |
| Certification | CSA certified to ANSI Z83.26 / CSA 2.37; 500-hour ASTM B117 salt-spray tested |
What's included
- The Opus Lite heater, assembled on its base plate
- Wheel kit with two bolts and two M8 nuts, fitted during setup
- Gas pressure regulator and a 10 ft quick-connect hose for the natural gas line
- Wrench and owner's manual
You'll also need
- A qualified, licensed gas technician to connect it, with an accessible manual shut-off valve and a supply line sized for every appliance on it (at least 3/4" inside diameter)
- A medium-blade Phillips screwdriver (not supplied)
- Leak-check solution (not supplied): one part dishwashing liquid to three parts water
Installation planning
- Outdoors only. Never use it in an enclosed space such as a home, garage, tent, camper or car: it produces carbon monoxide. Under cover, it can have walls on all sides with no roof, or a roof with no more than two side walls, or a roof with three side walls as long as at least 30% of the perimeter stays permanently open.
- Clearance: 36" from anything combustible at the sides and above the top. Keep it away from windows, air intakes, sprinklers and other water sources, and from anywhere gasoline or other flammable liquids are stored.
- Surface and weather: stand it on hard, level, non-combustible ground, and run it only when the wind is below 10 mph. It heats less efficiently below 40°F.
- Setup time: about 10 minutes. Two people are recommended for any step where the heater has to be leaned.
- Natural gas: installation must follow local codes or, where there are none, the National Fuel Gas Code ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (CSA B149.1 in Canada). Never connect a gas line to the heater without the supplied pressure regulator.
- Leak check: before the first lighting, brush leak-check solution on every gas connection and open the valve. Bubbles mean a leak. Repeat the test whenever a connection is loosened. Never use a flame to check for leaks.
- Altitude: above 2,000 ft, installation must follow local codes, or ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 or CSA B149.1.
Using the heater
- Lighting: open the gas supply, then push the control knob in and turn it to PILOT, keep it pressed while you push the igniter until the pilot shows through the glass tube, hold it for 30 seconds more, then turn it to HIGH, or further to LOW for less heat. On first use or after a cylinder change, air has to purge from the gas line first: follow the steps in the use and care guide.
- First use: manufacturing oils burn off with some smoke and odor for about 30 minutes.
- Relighting: if the pilot goes out, close all valves and wait at least five minutes before trying again.
- After use: turn it off, close the gas supply, and don't touch, move or cover it for at least 45 minutes while it cools. Some discoloration of the emitter screen is normal.
Care and maintenance
- Cleaning: warm soapy water on the outside. Never use flammable or corrosive cleaners, and keep the burner and pilot area dry. A gas control that has been under water must be replaced.
- Glass tube: carbon deposits are a fire hazard. Remove the reflector and one protective guard, lift out the tube, wash and dry it, and refit it. Handle it with both hands and set it on something soft, never concrete or stone.
- Spiders and insects: they can nest in the burner and orifices and make the heater unsafe. Clear the burner holes with a heavy-duty pipe cleaner or compressed air.
- Salt air: check for corrosion often near the coast and repair it promptly.
- Inspection: check the heater before each use, inspect the whole hose assembly at least once a year for cuts or wear, and have a qualified service person inspect it annually.
- Storage: store it upright and sheltered from the weather, with the gas off. Lava Heat sells a protective cover for the Opus Lite separately.
Warranty
Lava Heat Italia's limited warranty starts on the date of purchase shown on your receipt and covers residential and commercial installations on the same terms:
- Frame and structure: lifetime
- Parts: 5 years
- Finish: 5 years
- Burner and glass: 1 year
- Gas hose and regulator assembly: 1 year
It covers parts only; labor and freight are not included. It is for the original purchaser, so keep your receipt. It does not cover damage caused by non-genuine parts, accident, alteration, misuse, abuse, or incorrect installation or removal, or consumable items and items damaged in service. Lava Heat handles warranty service, technical support and replacement parts directly (310-559-1700, customerservice@lavaheat.com). When ordering a part, quote the model (LHI-OPUSLITE), the part letter from the setup or assembly guide, and the finish. Full terms are at lavaheat.com/warranty-and-product-care.
Manuals and documents
- Lava Heat Opus Lite spec sheet
- Opus Lite owner's manual (assembled)
- Opus Lite setup guide (assembled)
- Opus Lite quick-start guide
- Opus Lite use and care guide
Legal disclaimers and warnings
Product packaging, owners' manuals, installation instructions, and/or operating instructions may include more information than what is shown on our website. The content on our site is intended to be used for reference purposes only. Please fully read all included manuals and documentation before installing or using this product.
WARNING for California residents: combustion by-products produced when using this product contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.