The Best Woodburners

Wood burning stoves are known to lower blood pressure and help relax. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. So you can enjoy a warm, cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It is a great choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great option for larger rooms, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It features a contemporary steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficiency during the winter months, which means that a large portion of the heat it produces is transferring into your home rather than going up the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years, as it has been proven that they contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked with heart and lung problems. However, newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They are just a small wood burning fireplaces portion of the overall pollution generated by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood stoves are the primary source of this pollution.

Selecting the appropriate wood burners garden for your stove is essential to ensure the best heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a great option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that were recently implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust sturdy burner with a 10-year Body Warranty and a robust construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing regulations that govern the use of these stoves. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for more stricter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

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

This stove is easy to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic style make it ideal for both traditional and modern style. This model can be easily placed in smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which can increase the efficiency.

The stove also has an ash dump built-in that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two types of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It also comes with a wireless remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether wood stove burners burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they provide a beautiful ambiences in our homes. It's important to consider the health risks of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you're planning to install a woodburner it is recommended you keep the door shut when you're not in the vicinity of the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it also helps lower blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous due to the tiny particles of soot which can be absorbed into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves are up to 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 meets, but surpasses these new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you the best view of your flame and is kept clean with a powerful air wash system. This stove has an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It's DEFRA exempt, which means it can be used within smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove modern burning stove emissions that will be in force in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It's now easier to set up than ever before. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that repels dirt and grime.

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

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a maverick style that shouldn't be missed out on. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves that have achieved popularity due to their low flue-draught requirements, integral ovens and hotplate tops and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their focus on brand and shows that they can offer a premium product at the price that's not too expensive. 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 qualifications. It is an excellent choice for those who are not sure what direction the directive is going and want peace of mind that their stove will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.