The Best Woodburners

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

Fortunately, the latest stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy a warm and cozy home, and not break your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those who live in smoke controlled areas as it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large-sized rooms. The generous fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel frame which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an air wash system which keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a large portion of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home rather than going up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5, which has been linked with lung and heart problems. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution produced from burning fossil fuels, like gas and coal.

The right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure optimal heat output and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is a good choice since it burns quickly and provides a lot of heat, 10kW however it requires to be and properly seasoned. Beech is also a good alternative, but it's hard to handle because of its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated. This means you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that is durable and comes with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

double sided wood burner burning stoves are still very popular and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for more stricter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners in demand. They have launched a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass, which gives you an excellent flame picture and an airwash system to prevent soot accumulation.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW This is a fantastic stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary style. The flat back design ensures it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to install a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.

The stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This reduces the risk of dust and odours escaping the room. There are two types of flue adaptors according to the chimney type you have. It is also available with a wireless remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a beautiful atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether they're healthy for us. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to a room. it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves are harmful due to the tiny particles of soot that could enter your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place, which means that new log burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This helps reduce creosote build-up, 10Kw smoke leakage and, more 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 not only meets, but surpasses the new standards. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used within areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on the emissions of wood-burning stoves which will take the market in 2022.

If that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to install. It's a solid little stove, that has been built with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated in 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 environmentally friendly and efficient, this is above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that has the complete five star clearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand with a maverick style that shouldn't be missed out on. They specialize in small, do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements, 10kw hotplate tops and integral ovens as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand and also shows that they are able to provide an excellent product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure where the directive will go and want to be confident that their log burners will be exempt from smoke control regulations.