The Best Woodburners

cheap wood burning stove burning stoves are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not sacrifice performance. It's a fantastic choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large-sized rooms. The large fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding ones. It has an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents the build-up of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning that it carries a large portion of the heat it produces to your home, instead of being directed up the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burning stove small burners has grown, since it was found that they can contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and 5kW heart problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. They are just a small portion of the overall pollution generated by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollutant.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is crucial to ensure the highest heat output and 5kW combustion. There are many types of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers a lot heat, is a great option. However, it should be well-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 Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful, durable burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are extremely popular, and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them and their use, they're going to stay. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for stricter restrictions, and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy new log fires or a multifuel burner.

One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that gives the best flame image. There is also an airwash system that prevents the accumulation of soot.

With a power output of 4.9kW this is a great stove to heat most rooms and it's also very easy to use and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design makes it a great choice for traditional or contemporary design. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another great feature of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it simple to clean up and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust getting into the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's also available with an 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 are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when you are not interacting with the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable watching the flames flicker and can reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Studies have shown that older stoves are harmful due to the tiny particles of soot which can be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place, which means that new log burners must meet higher standards. This reduces smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with the powerful air cleaning system. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning that it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets the European emission standards for wood-burning stoves which will be in place in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air-ventilation kit. It is now easier to set up than ever before. It's a solid little stove constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated with an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.

The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and verified to be eco-friendly and efficient, this goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list that carry the five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established player among wood burner brands with a distinctive style that shouldn't be overlooked. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with an array of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on branding and also demonstrates that they can still provide a superior product at a price that won't break the bank. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is an excellent choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their fireplace will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.