The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood stove have been documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy a warm and cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an excellent option for large spaces. The generous fire glass also allows you to take pleasure in the flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a large portion of the heat it produces is transferring to your home instead of going up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of a lot of criticism recently since it was shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that are made to comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure the highest combustion and heat output. There are many types of wood burning stove outdoor that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is fast-burning and also produces a lot heat, is a good option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is also a good alternative, but it's hard to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that were recently implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that is durable and comes with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing regulations that surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company which is working to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They have released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that offers the best flame image. There's also an airwash system which prevents soot accumulation.

This stove is easy to use, and has a heat output rating of 4.9kW. Its curved lines and classic style makes it a great choice for modern or traditional design. This model is easily fitted into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which will improve the efficiency.

The stove also comes with an integrated ash dump, which makes it easy to remove ashes and clean them regularly. This reduces the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's also equipped with a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they provide a beautiful ambiences in our homes. However, 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 impact our indoor air quality and health. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed, it is recommended that you keep the door closed when you're not working on the fire and regularly clean out the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing to watch the flames flicker and help lower blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release tiny soot particles that can get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that log burners meet higher standards. This will reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with a new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out. This multi-fuel stove does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by a powerful air washing system. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets European restrictions on the emissions of wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit for free making it much easier than ever to put it in place. It's a durable unit that's made from 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 wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only a few stoves in our list that carry the full five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a major brand in the world of wood burners with a distinctive style that shouldn't be overlooked. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with a wide range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still provide an excellent product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with ClearSkies level five certification. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners are exempt from the smoke control regulations.