The Best Woodburners

Wood burning stoves are known to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet does not compromise on performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-controlled areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can 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 huge fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It is made of modern steel, and therefore can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it carries a large portion of the heat it produces 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 cause microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart issues. However, newer models that are made to meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best combustion and heat output. There are many types of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and Best Woodburners hazel. Eucalyptus is a great choice because it's fast-burning and produces a lot of heat, however it needs to be well and properly seasoned. Beech is a different option however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it as long as you adhere to the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that's built to last, with a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing guidelines that govern the use of these stoves. Some groups have called for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth reading our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations before you decide on the latest multifuel or log fire.

One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that offers an amazing flame image. It also has an airwash system that stops the accumulation of soot.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW This is a fantastic stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. The curving lines and classic design makes it suitable for traditional and modern decor. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system with this model to increase the efficiency even more.

Another excellent feature of this stove is the built-in ash dump that makes it easy to clean up and remove the ashes regularly which reduces the risk of odours and dust escaping into the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors, dependent on the chimney type. It is also available with wireless remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health We can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. However, it is important to keep in mind the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood and other types of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door shut when you're not in the vicinity of the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable to watch the flames flutter and help lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Studies have shown that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot that could enter your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This reduces the risk on creosote leakage, smoke accumulation and, most importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet a new safety standard. 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 features a large-screen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to an air-washing system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. 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 force in 2022.

If that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever to put it in place. This is a robust model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient, this goes beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves that have the full five-star clearSkies rating which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh cheap wood burners for sheds burner brand that has an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are renowned for their micro small wood burning stove for shed multi-fuel stoves that come with various features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a fantastic example of their focus on brand and demonstrates that they can offer a premium product at the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies credentials. It is a great option for those who aren't sure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their stove will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.