The Best Woodburners

wood burning stove modern burners are known to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm and cosy home, without compromising 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 smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it an ideal option for larger spaces and the large fire glass provides a stunning view of your flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the build-up of soot. The stove is extremely efficiency during the winter months, which means that a large portion of the heat produced is being transferred into your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was found that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. These are only a small part of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollution.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is vital to ensure the highest heating and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be employed, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is a great choice since it burns quickly and offers a great deal of heat, however it must be prepared. Beech is another great choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to cope with the upcoming changes to regulations that were recently implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty sturdy 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 remain very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you decide on the latest multifuel or log fire.

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

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW This is a great stove for most rooms and it's also extremely simple to use and maintain. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for traditional and modern style. The flat back design ensures it can be placed in shallower recesses and it's very easy to install a direct-air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another excellent feature of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it simple to clean up and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the risk of odours and dust that escapes into the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's also equipped with an remote control.

As the debate rages about whether or not woodburning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create wonderful ambience in our homes. However, it is important to keep in mind the effects of particulate matter and how burning wood and other kinds of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not tending to the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner adds a lovely ambience to a room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it also helps reduce blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous because they release microscopic particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves are up to the highest standards. This reduces creosote and smoke leakage and more important, harmful gases such as 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 not only meets but exceeds the new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with an air-washing system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, which means it is able to be used in areas that are smoke-free. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets the European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take force in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air ventilation kit. It is now easier to install than ever. It's a solid little stove constructed with 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 wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient, this goes above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that have the full five-star clearSkies rating so you can be sure that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves, which come in various options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus, and also shows that they are able to provide an excellent 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 in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five credentials. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will be exempt from smoke control regulations.