The Best Woodburners

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

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a fantastic choice for those who live in smoke-controlled areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a good option for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass provides a stunning view of your flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It has an air wash system which keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is highly efficient, meaning that it carries a large portion of the heat it produces to your home, instead of being directed up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was discovered that they can contribute to the creation of tiny sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart issues. However, newer models that are made to conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They're only a tiny portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burning fireplace burning stoves are a source of this pollutant.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best combustion and heat output. Many types of wood can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is a good option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another good choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it so it is if you follow the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty, durable burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain extremely popular, and despite the directive maze that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you go shopping for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company which is working to keep woodburners popular. They have released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass that provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot from accumulating.

With a power output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. Its curved lines and classic style makes it a great choice for modern or traditional decor. This model can be easily fitted into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems with this model, which will improve the efficiency.

The stove also has a built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clear ashes and clean them regularly. This reduces the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's accessible 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 create wonderful ambience in our homes. But, it's important to be aware of the impact of particulate matter as well as how burning wood and other types of fuel can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not tending to the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing to watch the flames flicker and help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm as they produce tiny particles of soot that end up into your breathing system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that log stoves have higher standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, Best Woodburners creosote accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to comply with a new standard, and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out. This multi-fuel stove does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by a powerful air washing system. This stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets the European emission standards for wood burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air vent kit. It is now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a durable model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated with an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.

This stove has an clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and Best Woodburners verified as eco-friendly and efficient. This goes beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. This is one of only one stove on our list that have the full five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their brand focus and demonstrates that they can offer a premium product at an affordable price that isn't too expensive. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies certification. It is a great option for those who aren't sure which direction the directive is headed and want to rest assured that their stove remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.