The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove have been documented. What about the tiny soot particles released by them?

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can have a warm and cosy home, without compromising your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

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

It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding spaces. It features an air wash system which keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning that it transfers a large percentage of the heat it produces to your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently, as it has been demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5 which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution created through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.

Selecting the appropriate shed wood burner for your stove is crucial to ensure the highest combustion and heat output. There are a variety of wood that can be used for burning in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is a good choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it requires to be and properly seasoned. Beech is a different option but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that is built to last, with a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing directives that govern the use of these stoves. In fact, some groups are calling for much stricter 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 an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company which is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who 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 that has a large glass door that provides an amazing flame image. There is also an airwash system that stops soot accumulation.

This stove is easy to use and has a an output of 4.9kW. Its curving lines and classic design make it suitable for traditional or contemporary decor. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct-air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another excellent characteristic of this stove is the built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clean up and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the risk of odours and dust that escapes into the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you are using, and it's available with a remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether or not woodburning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. It's important to consider the health effects of indoor 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 and regularly clean out the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner adds a lovely ambience to a room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has proven that older stoves can be harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot which can enter your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners have to meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just meets, but surpasses the new standards, but also exceeds them. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It's DEFRA exempt, which means it can be used within areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves that will be in the market in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air vent kit. It's now simpler to install than ever. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that repels dirt.

This stove is a clearSkies label, which signifies that it has been independently tested and confirmed as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialize in small wood burning stoves uk, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, integral ovens and hotplate tops and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a fantastic illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates their ability to offer a premium product at a price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies qualifications. It's the ideal choice for those who don't know what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will be free of smoke control regulations.