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 designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can have a warm and cosy home without compromising on your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those living in areas with smoke restrictions since it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output also makes it an ideal option for larger spaces and the large fire glass provides a stunning view of your flames.

It has a modern steel frame that allows it to be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is highly efficient, which means that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home, instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of some criticism in recent times because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. They're only a tiny part of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the primary source of this pollution.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is vital to ensure the highest heating and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be utilized, including eucalyptus as well as Ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is a good option. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that were recently implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-year body warranty and a sturdy construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing directives that surround them. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for stricter restrictions, Wood burners and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners in demand. 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 to avoid soot accumulation.

The stove is easy to use and has a an output of 4.9kW. The curving 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 set up a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another great aspect of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it easy to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis which reduces the possibility of odours or dust escaping into the room. You can select between two kinds of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether or not woodburning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. But, it's important to keep in mind the effects of particulate matter and how burning wood or other forms of fuel can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help to lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous because they release microscopic particles of soot that can be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to be able to meet the highest standards. This will reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most important, harmful gases such as 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 not only meets, but surpasses the new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets the European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take effect in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, this stove is supplied with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever before to set up. This is a sturdy 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 shows that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient, this goes above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only a few stoves in our list to have the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established brand in the world of wood burners with a maverick flair that shouldn't be overlooked. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with various sizes and Wood burners features. This 4.7kW model is a great illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates their ability to provide a top-quality product at the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies credentials. It is a great choice for those who are unsure which direction the directive is headed and want to rest assured that their log burner remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.