The Best Woodburners

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

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home without breaking 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-controlled areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large wood burning stove rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids the build-up of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning that it transfers a large percentage of the heat it produces into your home instead of being directed up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was found that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. However, the latest models that comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. These are only a Small Wood Burning Stoves part of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burners are a source of this pollution.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure the best combustion and heat output. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for Small wood burning stoves burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is fast-burning but also provides lots of heat, is an excellent choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is also a great option, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

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 heavy-duty burner that is built to last, featuring sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.

One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves, Small wood burning stoves who recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that provides an excellent flame picture and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot accumulation.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW, this is a fantastic stove for most rooms and it's also extremely simple to maintain and use. The curving lines and classical design makes it ideal for traditional and contemporary style. The flat back design ensures it can be fitted into shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct-air system to boost the efficiency further.

Another excellent aspect of this stove is its built in ash dump which makes it easy to remove and clean out the ashes regularly and reduces the chance of odours and dust that escapes into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's available with the option of a remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. But, it's important to be aware of the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood and other types of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you're installing a woodburner, it's recommended to shut the door when not tending to the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable to watch the flames flutter and help reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has proven that older stoves can be harmful 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 reduces smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only meets, but exceeds these new standards, but also exceeds them. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to a powerful air washing system. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions which will take the market in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It's now simpler to install than it has ever been. It's a durable 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.

This stove is an clearSkies label, which means that it has been independently tested and confirmed as environmentally friendly and efficient. This is above the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves on our list that has the complete five star clearSkies rating, which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn't be overlooked. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves that come with various options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their focus on brand and demonstrates that they can deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It's the ideal choice for those who aren't sure what the future direction of the directive is and want to feel secure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.