The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner have been documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home without compromising on your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It is a great choice 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 as well as approved solid fuels. Its high heat output also makes it a great option for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass provides a stunning view of the flames.

It has a modern steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and Best Woodburners freestanding areas. It has an air wash system which keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is extremely efficient, which means that it transfers a large percentage of heat produced to your home, instead of being directed up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of a lot of criticism recently because it has been shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 that has been linked with lung and heart problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to the pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

It is important to choose the right wood for the stove in order to get the highest heat output and the best combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, however it needs to be well seasoned. Beech is another good choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

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

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing guidelines that are thrown at them. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a ban on stoves that burn wood burner fireplace, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They've released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that provides the best flame image. There is also an airwash system which prevents the accumulation of soot.

The stove is easy to operate, and comes with a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic style make it suitable for traditional or contemporary design. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems with this model, which will improve the efficiency.

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

Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they are healthy for us. However, it is important to be aware of the impact of particulate matter and the way that burning wood and other types of fuel can affect the quality of indoor air as well as health. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed it is recommended you keep the door closed when you're not in the vicinity of the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure that the air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to a room. it's not just relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it also helps reduce blood pressure. However, it's not without its problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of tiny particles of soot that end up into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log burners are up to the highest standards. This reduces smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly, harmful gases like 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 does not just meet but also 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 boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, which means it can be used within smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves which will be in effect in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free making it simpler than ever before to set up. It's a solid little stove constructed using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.

This stove comes with a clearSkies label, which signifies that it was independently tested and confirmed as eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves on our list that have the full five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a maverick style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves that have gained cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, Best Woodburners hotplate tops and integral ovens, and a range of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still deliver a superior product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has the level five ClearSkies credentials. It is an excellent choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to rest assured that their fireplace remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.