The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are believed to reduce blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?

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

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not sacrifice performance. It's a great choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it is certified with the Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large-sized rooms. The generous fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into Traditional Cooking inglenooks and freestanding areas. It comes with an air wash system which keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is extremely seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat produced is being transferred into your home rather than being lost up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under many criticisms in recent years because it has been shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked to lung and heart issues. However, modern models that are made to meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They're only a tiny portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are a source of this pollution.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure optimal heating and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning and also produces a lot heat, is a good option. However, Traditional cooking it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option 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 cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust sturdy 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 are extremely popular, and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for more stricter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company which is working to keep woodburners in demand. They have released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass that gives you the best flame view and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot from accumulating.

This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design makes it suitable for both traditional and modern style. This model is easily incorporated into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.

Another great characteristic of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it simple to clean and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust that escapes into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's accessible with an remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health We can all agree that they provide a wonderful ambience in our homes. It is important to think about the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing a woodburner, it's recommended that you close the door when not tending to the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing watching the flames flicker, and it can help reduce blood pressure. However, it's not without its problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of microscopic soot particles that get in your breathing system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves are up to the highest standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build-up and most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but exceeds the new standards. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves that will come into the market in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included making it simpler than ever to put it in place. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows 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. This is one of only one stove on our list that carry the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh contemporary wood burning stoves burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn't be missed out on. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in a wide range of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on brand and also demonstrates that they are able to provide a superior product at a price that won't cost you a fortune. 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 level five ClearSkies certification. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure where the directive will go and want to be sure that their log burners will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.