The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove have been well-documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy an inviting and cozy home without compromising on your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not sacrifice performance. It's a great option for those who live in areas that are smoke-free since it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies certification 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 rooms. The huge fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It is equipped with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced into your home instead of being directed up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under many criticisms in recent years since it was demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5, which has been linked to lung and heart issues. However, modern models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these 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 correct wood for the stove in order to get the highest efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is a good choice since it burns quickly and offers a great deal of heat, however it must be seasoned. Beech is another good choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful sturdy burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain extremely popular, and despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is a company that is doing its part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They've released an expanded version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass that provides an excellent flame picture and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot from accumulating.

With a power output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove for all rooms. It's extremely simple to maintain and use. Its curved lines and classic style make it suitable for traditional or contemporary decor. The flat back design means that it can be fitted into shallower recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system with this model to boost the efficiency further.

The stove also has an ash dump built-in, which makes it easy to remove ashes and clean them frequently. This helps reduce the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's equipped with an remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a beautiful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are healthy for us. However, it is important to consider the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuel can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to a room. it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it also helps 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 tiny particles of soot that end up into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log wood burner burners must be able to meet the highest standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more importantly harmful gases like 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 does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. It features a large-screen glass viewing window that offers the best view of your flame and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

This stove comes with a no-cost air-ventilation kit. It is now easier to install than ever. This is a robust unit that's made from high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This goes above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list that carry the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in a wide range of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also demonstrates that they can still deliver the best quality product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies certification. It is an excellent choice for those who aren't sure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their stove remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.