The Best Woodburners

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

Fortunately, the latest stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have cozy and warm home, without compromising your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for those living in smoke controlled areas as it has the Level 5 ClearSkies credentials, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a great choice for larger rooms and Wood burning Fireplace the huge fire glass offers a beautiful view of the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents the build-up of soot. The stove is highly efficient, which means that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

Wood burning fireplace burners have come under a lot of criticism recently since it was proven that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked with heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution produced through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be employed, 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 another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it so long as you adhere to the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that's built to last, with sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, back by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain very popular and, wood burning fireplace despite the directive maze that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. Some campaign groups have called for tighter regulations and even a log burner ban. It's worth checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for an all-fuel or log fire.

One company which is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada 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 woodburner with a huge glass door that gives an amazing flame image. There's also an airwash system that prevents soot accumulation.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely simple to operate and maintain. The curvaceous lines and classic style makes it a great choice for traditional or contemporary style. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system using this model to improve the efficiency of the system.

The stove also comes with a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to remove ashes and clean them up regularly. This decreases the chance of dust and odours escaping the room. You can choose between two types of flue adaptors, dependent on the chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely ambience in our homes, regardless of whether they are good for our health. It's important to consider the health effects of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you're planning to have a woodburner installed, it is recommended that you keep the door closed when not tending the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable watching the flames flicker and help lower blood pressure. There are some issues however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build-up and most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must be in compliance 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. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to a powerful air washing system. This stove has an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will be in the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever before to set up. It's a sturdy little unit constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

This stove comes with a clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and confirmed as eco-friendly and efficient. This goes beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves on our list that has the complete five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big brand in the world of large wood burning stove burners with a distinctive style that is not to be missed. Chilli Penguin is known for its small wood burning stove for shed multi-fuel stoves with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their brand focus and also shows that they can still deliver an excellent product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be sure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.