The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm and cozy home, and not break your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet does not compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those who live in smoke controlled areas as it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large rooms. The generous fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat it produces is transferring to your home instead of being lost to the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of a lot of criticism recently because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.

It is essential to choose the right wood for the stove to ensure the highest efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is a great choice since it burns quickly and produces a lot of heat, but it requires to be and properly seasoned. Beech is also a good option, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it so it is if you follow the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a sturdy construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive maze that is surrounding them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you buy an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company which is doing its bit 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 an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that gives the best woodburner (Highly recommended Resource site) flame image. It also has an airwash system that stops soot accumulation.

This stove is simple to use and has a an output of 4.9kW. Its curved lines and classic design make it ideal for both traditional and modern wood burner style. This model can be easily placed in smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems with this model, which will increase the efficiency.

This stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to remove ashes and clean them regularly. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you are using, and it's available with a remote control.

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

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable to watch the flames flutter and help reduce blood pressure. However, it's not without its problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release tiny soot particles that can get into your breathing system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners must meet higher standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only meets, but exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you a great flame view, and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions which will take the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever to put it in place. This is a sturdy stove made of 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 repels dirt.

This stove comes with a clearSkies label, which signifies that it was independently tested and verified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five star clearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a unique style that should not be overlooked. They are known for their small wood burner multi-fuel stoves, which come in a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also shows that they can still provide an excellent product at a cost that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies credentials. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure where the directive will go and want to be sure that their log burners are free of smoke control regulations.