The Best Woodburners

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

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not compromise on performance. It's a fantastic choice for people who live in smoke-free 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. The high heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large rooms. The generous fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It has a modern steel frame which means it can be used wood burning stoves in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It is equipped with 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 cause microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart issues. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. They're only a tiny part of the overall pollution generated by burning fossil fuels like coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the main source of this pollutant.

It is crucial to select the correct wood for the stove in order to get the best efficiency of heat and combustion. Many types of wood can be utilized, including eucalyptus as well as ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides lots of heat, is an excellent option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

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

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

wood burner clearance sale burning stoves remain extremely popular, and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. Some groups have called for tighter regulations and a ban on log burners. It's worth reading our guide on stove pollution and regulations, before you decide on a new multifuel or log fire.

One company that is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who recently released a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass that gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.

The stove is easy to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic style make it suitable for modern or traditional design. The flat back design means it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct air system to increase the efficiency even more.

The stove also has an integrated ash dump that makes it simple to clean ashes and remove them frequently. This helps reduce the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you have, and it's available with a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood-burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create wonderful ambience in our homes. However, wood burners it's important to keep in mind the impact of particulate matter and the ways that burning wood and other types of fuels can affect 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 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 can also help lower blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot which can get into your respiratory system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log burners are up to the highest standards. This helps to cut down on creosote leakage, smoke build up and more importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to 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 features a large-screen glass viewing window that offers a great flame view, and is kept clean with the power of an air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves which will be in effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air ventilation kit. It is now easier to install than it has ever been. This is a robust stove made of high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.

This stove is a clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and verified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of 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 a unique style that should not be missed out on. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in various sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still provide a superior product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five certification. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will remain free of smoke control regulations.