The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles that they release into the air?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home, and not break your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for larger rooms and the huge glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids the build-up of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home instead of being directed up the chimney.

The criticism of wood burning stoves has increased, because it was shown that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart issues. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. They are just a small wood burning stove uk part of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are a source of this pollutant.

It is important to choose the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the highest efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes to regulations that were recently implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that's built to last, featuring sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, which is supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. Some groups have pushed for stricter regulations, and even a ban on log burners. It's worth reading our guide on stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for the latest multifuel or Best Woodburners log fire.

Arada Stoves is one cost of wood burning stove the companies that is doing their part to keep woodburners popular. They've released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that gives the best flame image. It also has an airwash system that prevents soot accumulation.

With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove to heat the majority of rooms. It's very easy to maintain and use. Its curved lines and classic style makes it a great choice for both traditional and modern style. The flat back design ensures it can be fitted into shallower recesses and it's very easy to install a direct-air system using this model to improve the efficiency of the system.

Another excellent feature of this stove is its built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis and reduces the possibility of odours or dust that escapes into the room. There are two types of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It also comes with a wireless remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether or not woodburning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. It is important to think about the health effects of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing a woodburner, it's recommended to shut the door when not tending to the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable watching the flames flicker, and it can help lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Studies have shown that older stoves can be harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners must meet higher standards. This will reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must 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 has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by the powerful air cleaning system. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it is already in compliance with European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves that will be in force in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air vent kit. It's now simpler to set up than ever before. It's a solid little stove, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

This stove has a clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and verified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of 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 specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have gained cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens, and a range of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their focus on brand and demonstrates their ability to provide a top-quality product at an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully in compliance with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies certification. It is an excellent choice for those who are not sure what direction the directive is going and want peace of mind that their stove will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.