The best woodburners (why not find out more)

Wood burners are known to lower blood pressure and relax. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can enjoy a warm and cosy home, without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great option for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a great choice for large rooms. The huge fire glass also lets you to take pleasure in the flames.

It features a contemporary steel body that allows it to be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat it produces is transferring into your home, rather than going up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has grown, since it was shown that they can contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart issues. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.

It is essential to choose the appropriate wood for your stove to ensure the most efficient efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be employed, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers lots of heat, is a great choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that have been put in place, and it's Defra exempt and Best woodburners ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust sturdy burner with a 10-year body warranty and a robust construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are extremely popular, and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. Some groups have called for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you shop for the latest multifuel or log fire.

Arada Stoves is a company that is doing their part to keep woodburners popular. They've released an expanded version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that gives a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system that stops the accumulation of soot.

With a power output of 4.9kW This is a great stove wood burning to heat most rooms and it's also extremely easy to maintain and use. Its curving lines and classic style make it ideal for both traditional and modern decor. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.

Another great characteristic of this stove is the built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust getting into the room. There are two types of flue adaptors according to the chimney type you have. It also comes with wireless 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 consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door closed when not tending the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner adds a lovely atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to be able to meet the highest standards. This will reduce smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just meets, but exceeds the new standards. It features a large-screen glass viewing window that offers an excellent view of the flame, and is maintained clean by an air wash system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to 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 that will come into the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included making it much easier than ever before to set up. It's a durable model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and verified to be eco-friendly and efficient, this goes above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list that have the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a major player among wood burner brands with a unique style that is not to be missed. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates their ability to provide a top-quality product at an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It is an excellent choice for those who are unsure where the directive is heading and want to rest assured that their fireplace will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.