The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burning stove have been well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles released by them?

The good news is that new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those who live in areas that are smoke-free since it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large-sized rooms. The large fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding spaces. It comes with an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent soot build-up. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it transfers a large wood burner percentage of the heat generated to your home, instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5 which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. They are just a small part of the overall pollution generated from burning fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are a source of this pollutant.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is vital to ensure optimal heating and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be utilized, including eucalyptus as well as Ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces a lot heat, is an excellent option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful sturdy burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a sturdy construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing directives that are thrown at the use of these stoves. Some campaign groups have called for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth checking out our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations prior to shopping for the latest multifuel or log fire.

Arada Stoves is a company which is working to keep woodburners popular. They've released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door best woodburners glass, which gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to prevent soot accumulation.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW This is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. The curved lines and classical style make it suitable for traditional and modern design. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system using this model to improve the efficiency of the system.

This stove also has an integrated ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This reduces the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's available with a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood-burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create wonderful ambience in our homes. It is important to think about the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not interacting with the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it also helps reduce blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous due to the tiny particles of soot that can get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves have higher standards. This reduces creosote and smoke leakage and more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you a great flame view, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions which will take force in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air-ventilation kit. It's now easier to install than ever. It's a sturdy little unit constructed using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. This is one of only a few stoves in our list that carry the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established brand in the world of wood burners with a unique style that's not to be ignored. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have gained cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, hotplate tops and integral ovens, and a range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their focus on brand and shows that they can deliver a superior product for the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five certification. It is a great option for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their stove will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.