The Best Woodburners

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

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not sacrifice performance. It's a great choice for those who live in smoke controlled areas as it has Level 5 ClearSkies certification that means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a great choice for larger rooms, and the generous glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.

It has a modern steel frame which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clear and helps prevent soot accumulation. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it can transfer a significant amount of the heat generated into your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times since it was demonstrated that they contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart problems. However, modern models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. These are only a small portion of the total pollution created from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the main source of this pollution.

The right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure optimal heating and combustion. There are many types of wood that can be used for burning in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers lots of heat, is a good choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing guidelines that surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to keep woodburners in demand. 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 glass that provides an excellent flame picture and an airwash system to avoid soot accumulation.

With a power output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to operate and maintain. The curvaceous lines and classic style make it ideal for modern or traditional design. The flat back design ensures it can be placed in shallower recesses. It's also very simple to install a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.

The stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them regularly. This reduces the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you are using, and it's equipped with a remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are good for health. However, it is important to consider the impact of particulate matter as well as how burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door closed when you're not working on the fire. Also, you should regularly clean out the stove to ensure the air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing to watch the flames flicker and help reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Studies have shown that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot that could get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves have higher standards. This helps reduce creosote build-up, smoke leakage and, most importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to comply with a brand new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out, this multi-fuel stove not only meets, but surpasses the new standards. It has a widescreen glass view window that provides an excellent view of the flame, 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 is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air ventilation kit. It is now easier to set up than ever before. 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 indicates that it has been independently tested and verified to be sustainable and efficient, 5kw this goes above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of one stove on our list that have the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established player in the cheap wood burning stoves burner market with a maverick flair that's not to be ignored. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them popularity due to their low flue-draught requirements, integral ovens and hotplate tops, and a range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their brand focus and demonstrates their ability to deliver a superior product for a price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It's the ideal choice for those who don't know where the directive will go and want to feel secure that their log burners will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.