The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by the wood burners?

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet does not sacrifice performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for larger rooms, and the generous glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.

It features a contemporary steel frame which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is a great efficiency during the winter months, which means that a large portion of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.

The criticism of wood burning stoves has grown, since it was found that they may contribute to the creation of tiny sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

It is crucial to select the correct wood for the stove to ensure the highest heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be employed, woodburners including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides lots of heat, is a great option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another good choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that have been implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner designed to last, with solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

wood burner fireplace burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive muddle that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a ban on stoves that burn wood, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you shop for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company that is trying to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who have recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/outdoor wood burning stove Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that offers a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system that stops the accumulation of soot.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove to heat the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to operate and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design make it suitable for modern or traditional decor. This model can be easily fitted into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems with this model, which will improve the efficiency.

Another excellent feature of this stove is the built-in ash dump that makes it very easy to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis and reduces the risk of odours and dust getting into the room. There are two types of flue adaptors, depending on your chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.

While the debate continues about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you're planning to install a woodburner it is recommended you shut the door when not tending the fire and regularly clean out the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's soothing to watch the flames flutter, and it can help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get in your breathing 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 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 surpasses the new standards. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by an air-washing system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it already meets European restrictions on the emissions of wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air ventilation kit. It's now easier to set up than ever before. It's a solid little stove, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-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 has the full 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 that has an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on branding and also shows that they can still deliver an excellent 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 conforming to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who don't know what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.