The Best Woodburners

Wood burning stoves are known to reduce blood pressure and relax. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot that they release?

Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy a warm and cozy home without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it is certified with the Level 5 ClearSkies certification that means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it a great choice for large-sized rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.

It has a modern steel frame, which means it can be used in 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 extremely efficient, meaning 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 found that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. However, the latest models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

The right wood for your stove is vital to ensure optimal combustion and heat output. There are a variety of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice due to its rapid burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it needs to be well and properly seasoned. Beech is another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

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

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a complete ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to 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 in demand. They have released an expanded 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 gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.

This stove is simple to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for traditional and modern style. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which can increase the efficiency.

The stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them up 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 type of chimney you have, and it's available with the option of a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether or not woodburning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. But, it's important to keep in mind the impact of particulate matter as well as how burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing to watch the flames flutter and help lower blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot which can be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote build-up, Best Woodburners smoke leakage and, most important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It 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 come into effect in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to install. It's a solid little stove, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.

This stove has the clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and confirmed as environmentally friendly and efficient. This is above the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that has the complete five-star clearSkies rating which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

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 wood burner for shed uk do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, hotplate tops and integral ovens as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a fantastic example of their brand focus and demonstrates their ability to offer a premium product at the price that's not too high. 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 has the level five ClearSkies credentials. It is a great choice for those who are unsure where the directive is heading and want to rest assured that their fireplace remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.