The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood stove are well-documented. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by them?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet doesn't compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those living in areas with smoke restrictions since it comes with 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 an ideal choice for larger rooms and the large fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It is made of modern steel, and therefore can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding ones. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, which means that a large portion of the heat produced is being transferred into your home rather than being lost up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was discovered that they can contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart issues. However, modern models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. These are only a small outdoor wood stove portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollutant.

The right wood for your stove is essential to ensure optimal heating and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a great choice. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

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 powerful burner designed to last, featuring sturdy 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 regulations that surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for more stricter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an defra stove approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that provides a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system that stops soot build-up.

With a heat output of 4.9kW This is a fantastic stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely simple to operate and maintain. The curving lines and classic design make it suitable for traditional and contemporary style. The flat back design means it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

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

As the debate rages 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 consider the impact of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood or other forms of fuels can impact the quality of our indoor air and health. If you're planning to have a woodburner installed, it is recommended that you keep the door closed when you're not working on the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to a room. it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous due to the tiny particles of soot that could enter your respiratory system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log burners are up to the highest standards. This will reduce creosote build-up, smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as 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 exceeds the new standards. It features a large-screen glass view window that provides an excellent view of the flame, and is maintained clean by an air wash system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will come into the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included making it much easier than ever before to set up. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that repels dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves that has the full five-star clearSkies rating so you can be confident that this woodburner is as efficient 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. They are known for their small shed wood stove multi fuel wood burning stoves-fuel stoves, which come in various features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their focus on brand and demonstrates their ability to provide a top-quality product at an affordable price that isn't too expensive. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies credentials. It is a great option for those who are not sure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their stove will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.