The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by them?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy cozy and warm home, without compromising your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not compromise on performance. It's a great option for those living in smoke controlled areas as it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It features a contemporary steel body, which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system which keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning it transfers a large percentage of the heat generated to 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 tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. These are only a small part of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burners are the main source of this pollutant.

It is essential to choose the correct wood for the stove in order to get the highest heat output and combustion. Many types of wood can be utilized, including eucalyptus as well as Ash. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice due to its rapid burning and offers a great deal of heat, however it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is another good choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even 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 it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-year body warranty and a sturdy construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

cheap wood burners burning woodburning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing directives that govern them. 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 reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who recently released a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass, which gives you an impressive flame image and an airwash system to prevent soot from accumulating.

With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to operate and maintain. The curved lines and classical design make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary design. This model is easily fitted into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems using this model, which will increase the efficiency.

Another excellent characteristic of this stove is its built-in ash dump that makes it simple to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust that escapes into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you are using, and it's equipped with a remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely ambience in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are good for our health. However, it's important to consider the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. So, if you're going to install a woodburner, it is recommended that you keep the door shut when you're not in the vicinity of the fire. Also, you should regularly clean out the stove to ensure that the air is as clean as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing to watch the flames flicker, and it can help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm due to the production of tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves meet higher standards. This reduces smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with 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 has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by a powerful air washing system. This stove has an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air vent kit. It's now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a sturdy little unit constructed using high-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 repels dirt and grime.

This stove has a clearSkies label, 5kW which means that it has been independently tested and certified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that have the full five-star clearSkies rating which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established player among wood burner brands with a distinctive style that is not to be missed. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with various features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus, and also shows that they can still provide a superior product at a price that won't break the bank. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for 5kW use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies credentials. It is a great choice for those who are unsure which direction the directive is headed and want to be confident that their fireplace will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.