The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove are well-documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?

Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have a warm and cosy home without compromising on your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for those who live in areas that are smoke-free since it has Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used wood burning stoves with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for large-sized rooms. The generous fire glass also lets you to enjoy the flames.

It has a modern steel body which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It features an air wash system which keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning it transfers a large percentage of the heat it produces to your home, instead of going up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years since it was demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked with heart and lung problems. However, modern models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

It is crucial to select the right wood for the stove in order to get the highest heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a good option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is also a great option, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner designed to last, featuring solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, which is supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain extremely 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 more stricter restrictions and even a complete ban on stoves that burn shed wood burner, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that provides an amazing flame image. There's also an airwash system that prevents soot build-up.

With a power output of 4.9kW this is a fantastic stove for most rooms and it's also extremely easy to operate and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design makes it a great choice for traditional or contemporary style. The flat back design ensures it can be inserted into smaller recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system with this model to increase the efficiency even more.

This stove also has an ash dump built-in that makes it simple to remove ashes and clean them frequently. This reduces the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. You can choose between two kinds of flue adaptors dependent on the chimney type. It also comes with wireless remote control.

As the debate rages about whether or not woodburning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. It is crucial to consider the health effects of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you shut the door when not tending the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful ambience to a room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help to reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has shown that older stoves are harmful due to the tiny particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. New regulations are in place to ensure that stoves are up to the highest standards. This reduces the risk on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with a brand 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 by the powerful air cleaning system. This stove has an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used in areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will be in the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with an air venting kit for free making it simpler than ever to install. It's a robust little appliance, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great illustration of their brand's focus and shows that they can deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five certification. It is a great option for those who are unsure where the directive is heading and want to be confident that their fireplace will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.