The Best Woodburners

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

Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great option for those living in areas with smoke restrictions since it has Level 5 ClearSkies certification that means it can be used with dry and seasoned Compact Portable Wood Burning Stove: Ideal for Camping! (head to Fireplacesandstove) and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large-sized rooms. The large fire glass also lets you to enjoy the flames.

It is made of modern steel, so it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding ones. It has an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely seasonal efficiency, which means that a significant portion of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home instead of being lost to the chimney.

Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times because it has been demonstrated that they cause microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. They're only a tiny portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollutant.

It is essential to choose the correct wood for the stove in order to get the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is a great choice since it burns quickly and produces a lot of heat, but it needs to be well and properly seasoned. Beech is a great choice, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that have been put in place and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated. This means you can use it with approved fuels so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing guidelines that surround them. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and a log burner ban. It's worth reading about our guide on stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for the latest multifuel or log fire.

One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves. They have recently released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that provides an amazing flame image. There is also an airwash system that stops soot accumulation.

The stove is easy to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic style makes it a great choice for modern or traditional style. The flat back design means it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct-air system with this model to improve the efficiency of the system.

The stove also comes with a built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clean ashes and remove them up regularly. This decreases the chance of odours and dust escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's also accessible with an remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health We can all agree that they provide a wonderful ambience in our homes. But, it's important to consider the effects of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood and other types of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. So, 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 out the stove to ensure the air is as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing to watch the flames flutter, and it can help lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Studies have shown that older stoves are harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot which can get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like 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. It has a large, clear view window that provides the best view of your flame and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emission standards for wood-burning stoves which will come into effect in 2022.

If that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free making it much easier than ever to put it in place. It's a durable model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated with an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.

This stove comes with the clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and verified as environmentally friendly and Efficient Outdoor Camping Stove with Chimney Pipes. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list to have the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player in the wood burner market with a unique style that is not to be missed. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their focus on brand and also demonstrates that they are able to provide an excellent product at a cost that won't break the bank. This DEFRA-approved woodburner stove is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has level five ClearSkies credentials. It is an excellent choice for those who aren't sure which direction the directive is headed and want to rest assured that their stove remains exempt from smoke control regulations.