The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner have been well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have an inviting and cozy home, without compromising your environmental obligations.

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 smoke controlled areas as it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and Best Woodburners approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of the flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, so it is able to be used in traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It has an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is highly efficient, meaning that it can transfer a significant amount of the heat it produces to your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years, as it has been demonstrated that they cause microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 that has been linked to lung and heart issues. However, the latest models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. These are only a small part of the overall pollution generated from burning fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood stoves are the primary source of this pollution.

It is crucial to select the correct wood for the stove to ensure the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be employed, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces plenty of heat, is a good choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to handle because of its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that were recently implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means you can use it with approved fuels as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that is built to last, with solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, which is why it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass that provides an excellent flame picture and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot accumulation.

With a heat output of 4.9kW this is a fantastic stove for most rooms and it's also very easy to use and maintain. The curving lines and classic style make it suitable for traditional and contemporary design. The flat back design ensures it can be placed in shallower recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system to improve the efficiency of the system.

The stove also comes with an integrated ash dump which makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them up regularly. This reduces the risk of odours and dust escaping the room. There are two kinds of flue adaptors dependent on the chimney type. It also comes with wireless remote control.

Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether they're good for our health. However, it is important to keep in mind the negative effects of particulate matter as well as how burning wood or other forms of fuels can impact the quality of our indoor air and health. If you're installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when not interacting with the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing watching the flames flicker and can reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm as they produce microscopic soot particles that get in your breathing system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on creosote leakage, smoke accumulation and, most 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 is in compliance, but even exceeds these new standards, but also exceeds them. It features a large-screen glass view window that provides an excellent view of the flame, and Best Woodburners is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. This stove has an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air vent kit. It's now easier to install than ever. It's a durable unit that's made from high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player in the wood burner market with a maverick flair that shouldn't be overlooked. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves, which come in an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also shows that they are able to provide an excellent product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is a great choice for those who aren't sure which direction the directive is headed and want peace of mind that their stove will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.