The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner have been documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles that they release into the air?

The good news is that new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can have a warm and cosy home without compromising on your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those living in areas with smoke restrictions since it has the Level 5 ClearSkies certification, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for larger rooms and the large fire glass provides a stunning view of the flames.

It is made of modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding spaces. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is highly efficient, which means that it carries a large portion of the heat it produces into your home instead of going up the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was shown that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that are made to meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They're only a tiny part of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burners are the main source of this pollutant.

It is crucial to select the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the most efficient heat output and the best combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is a great choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it must be prepared. Beech is also a good alternative, but it's hard to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful 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 still popular despite the confusing regulations that surround them. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you go shopping for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

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

With a heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove to heat the majority of rooms. It's extremely simple to maintain and use. The curvaceous lines and classic design make it suitable for Best Woodburners traditional or contemporary design. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems with this model, which will increase the efficiency.

Another great aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clean and remove the ashes regularly which reduces the risk of odours and dust getting into the room. There are two kinds of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether they are good for our health. It is crucial to consider the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when you are not interacting with the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful ambience to a room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm due to the production of microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that stoves have higher standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and more important, harmful gases such as 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 does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. It has a widescreen glass viewing window that offers a great flame view, and is maintained clean by an air wash system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets European emission limits for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever to put it in place. It's a robust little appliance, that has been built with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black, and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

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 beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves that has the complete 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 manufacturer with a unique style that should not be overlooked. They specialize in small, do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved popularity due to their low flue-draught requirements hotplate tops and integral ovens, and a range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still deliver a superior product at a price that won't break the bank. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It is a great choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to rest assured that their log burner will continue to be exempt from the smoke control regulations.