The Best Woodburners

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

Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy an inviting and cozy home without breaking 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 choice for those living in areas that are smoke-free since it is certified with Level 5 ClearSkies certification, 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 large-sized rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It has a modern steel frame, which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clear and helps prevent soot build-up. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat it generates is transferring to your home, rather than being lost up the chimney.

wood burner stoves uk burners have come under some criticism in recent times because it has been demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked to lung and heart issues. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. They are just a small part of the overall pollution generated from burning fossil fuels, such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are a source of this pollution.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure the highest heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a great choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that were recently implemented, and woodburners it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner designed to last, with solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain extremely popular, and, despite the directive maze that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a complete ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to keep woodburners in demand. They have released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn 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 avoid soot build up.

The stove is easy to operate, and comes with a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. Its curved lines and classic design make it suitable for both traditional and modern design. This model can be easily placed in smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which will improve the efficiency.

The stove also comes with an ash dump built-in, which makes it easy to remove ashes and clean them frequently. This helps reduce the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you are using, and it's available with an remote control.

While the debate continues about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create wonderful ambience in our homes. However, it is important to consider the impact of particulate matter and how burning wood or other forms of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you're installing a woodburner, it's recommended that you close the door when not tending to the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it also helps reduce blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build-up and most importantly - harmful gases such as 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. It has a large, clear viewing window that offers a great flame view, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, Woodburners which means it already meets the European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air vent kit. It's now easier to install than ever. It's a solid little stove constructed 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 keeps dirt and grime out.

This stove comes with an clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and verified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. This is one of the stoves on our list that have the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a maverick style that shouldn't be missed out on. 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 demonstrates that they can still provide a superior product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who don't know what the future direction of the directive is and want to be confident that their log burners will remain free of smoke control regulations.