The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood burner have been documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have a warm and cosy home without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's an excellent choice for those who live in areas with smoke restrictions since it is certified with Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an excellent choice for large rooms. The generous fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel body that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It comes with an air wash system which keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, which means that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced into your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.

The criticism of wood burning stoves has increased, as it was discovered that they could contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty air particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart problems. However, modern models that are made to conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced from burning fossil fuels, like gas and coal.

It is crucial to select the right wood burning fireplace for the stove in order to get the most efficient heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers a lot heat, is a great choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is also a good choice, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it as long as you adhere to the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a strong construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing guidelines that are thrown at them. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth reading about our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations, prior to shopping for an all-fuel or log fire.

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 wide door glass, which gives you 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 fantastic stove for all rooms. It's extremely easy to operate and maintain. Its curving lines and classic design make it suitable for modern or traditional decor. The flat back design means 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.

Another fantastic feature of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it simple to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis which reduces the risk of odours and dust that escapes into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you have, and it's available with the option of a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create a wonderful ambience in our homes. It is crucial to consider the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not interacting with the fire. It is also recommended to regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing watching the flames flicker and can reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot that can get into your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to be able to meet the highest standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only meets, but exceeds these 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. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take the market in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever before to set up. It's a solid little stove constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient, this goes above and Best Woodburners beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed that has the complete five-star ClearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, hotplate tops and integral ovens as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also shows that they can still provide the best quality product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It is a great option for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want peace of mind that their log burner remains exempt from smoke control regulations.