The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner have been well-documented. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by them?

The good news is that new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy a warm and cosy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not sacrifice performance. It is a great choice for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large rooms. The large wood burner fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It is equipped with an air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids soot accumulation. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat produced is being transferred into your home instead of being lost to the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was shown that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart issues. However, modern models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

It is important to choose the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the most efficient heat output and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. 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 great choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that's built to last, featuring a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much tighter 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 shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

One company which is trying to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves. They have recently released a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that offers a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system which prevents soot accumulation.

The stove is easy to use and has a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic design make it ideal for modern or traditional style. The flat back design ensures it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system with this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another excellent aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the risk of odours and dust that escapes into the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors according to the chimney type you have. It is also available with a wireless remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood-burning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. But, it's important to consider the negative effects of particulate matter and the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air 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 and regularly clean out the stove to ensure that the air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to a room. it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help to reduce blood pressure. It's not without it's problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of tiny soot particles that can get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote build-up, smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must be in compliance with a new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out. This multi-fuel stove not only meets but exceeds the new standards. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with a powerful air washing system. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It's now easier to install than ever. It's a solid little stove constructed with 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.

This stove is the clearSkies label, which signifies that it has been independently tested and certified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that has the full five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a unique style that should not be overlooked. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also demonstrates that they can still provide the best quality product at a cost that won't break the bank. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies credentials. It's the ideal choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.