The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood stove have been documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

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

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It's a fantastic choice for those who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. Its large wood Burner heat output makes it a fantastic option for large spaces. The generous fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.

It features a contemporary steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a large portion of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home, rather than going up the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was shown that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. These are only a small portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burners are the primary source of this pollution.

The right wood for your stove is vital to ensure the highest heating and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is a great choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it must be prepared. Beech is another good choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes in regulations that have been implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a strong construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a complete ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you go shopping for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They've released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that provides an excellent flame picture and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot build up.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove to heat most rooms and it's also extremely simple to maintain and use. The curvaceous lines and classic design makes it a great choice for traditional or contemporary design. This model is easily fitted into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.

Another fantastic aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the risk of odours and dust escaping into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's equipped with the option of a remote control.

While the debate continues about whether wood-burning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they provide a wonderful ambience in our homes. It is important to think about the health risks of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're planning to install a woodburner, it is recommended that you keep the door shut when you're not in the vicinity cost of wood burning stove the fire, and clean the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as 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 lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves can be harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot which can get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place and new log burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This helps reduce creosote build-up, smoke leakage and, more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just meets, but surpasses these new standards. It has a widescreen glass viewing window that offers a great flame view, and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

If that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free making it much easier than ever to put it in place. This is a sturdy unit that's made from high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only the stoves on our list that carry the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a unique style that should not be missed out on. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements integral ovens and hotplate tops as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still provide a superior product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies certification. It's the ideal choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be confident that their log burners will remain free of smoke control regulations.