The Best Woodburners

The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood stove have been well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?

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 compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those who live in smoke controlled areas as it is certified with Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it an excellent option for large spaces. The large fire glass also lets you to take pleasure in the flames.

It is made of modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks as well freestanding situations. It is equipped with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and avoids soot accumulation. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home, instead of being directed up the chimney.

The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was discovered that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart issues. However, newer models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. Wood burners contribute to the pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

It is important to choose the correct wood for the stove to ensure the most efficient efficiency of heat and combustion. There are many types of wood that can be used for burning, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers lots of heat, is a good 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 has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated. This means you can use it with approved fuels, provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is durable and comes with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a strong construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.

One company that is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 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 to prevent soot build up.

This stove is easy to use, and has a heat output rating of 4.9kW. Its curved lines and classic style makes it a great choice for both traditional and modern style. The flat back design means it can be fitted into shallower recesses and it's very easy to install a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another great characteristic of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it simple to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis and reduces the possibility of odours or dust escaping into the room. There are two types of flue adaptors, depending on your chimney type. It is also available with a wireless remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they're good for our health. But, it's important to be aware of the effects of particulate matter and the way that burning wood or other forms of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you're installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not tending to the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing to watch the flames flicker and can lower blood pressure. There are some issues though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners must meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi fuel wood burning stoves-fuel stove that not only meets, but surpasses these new standards, but also exceeds them. It features a large-screen glass viewing window that offers a great flame view, and is kept clean with a powerful air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used within smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves which will come into effect in 2022.

If that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included making it much easier than ever before to set up. It's a solid little stove, that has been built with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list 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 brand with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialise in small wood burning stove for sale do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements integral ovens and hotplate tops as well as a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand, and also shows that they can still deliver the best wood burning stove 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 compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure where the directive will go and want to be sure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.