The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are known to lower blood pressure and help relax. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot that they release?

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking 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 good option for larger spaces and the huge fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It has a modern steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, which means that a significant portion of the heat produced is being transferred into your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has grown, since it was discovered that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart issues. However, the latest models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.

The right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure the highest heating and combustion. Many types of wood can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces a lot heat, is a good option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

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 follow the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that's built to last, featuring solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, back by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing guidelines that govern them. In fact, some groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They have launched 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 provides a great flame picture. It also has an airwash system which prevents the accumulation of soot.

This stove is simple to use and has a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. Its curving lines and classic style make it suitable for traditional or contemporary style. This model can be easily fitted into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems on this model, which will improve the efficiency.

The stove also comes with a built-in ash dump that makes it simple 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) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's equipped with the option of a remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they are healthy for us. But, it's important to keep in mind the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood burning stoves for sheds and other types of fuels can impact our indoor air quality and health. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when not working on the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it also helps lower blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Studies have shown that older stoves can be harmful because they emit microscopic particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that log stoves meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build-up and most importantly - 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. It features a large-screen glass viewing window that gives you an excellent view of the flame, and is maintained clean by the power of an air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used within smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air-ventilation kit. It's now simpler to set up than ever before. This is a robust unit that's made from high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This is above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only the stoves on our list to have the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in various sizes and features. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still provide an excellent product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has ClearSkies level five credentials. It is the perfect choice for those who don't know where the directive will go and want to feel secure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.