The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. What about the tiny soot particles released by the wood burners?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great option for those who live in areas that are smoke-free since it comes with the Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large wood burning stove rooms. The generous fire glass also lets you to take pleasure in the flames.

It is constructed of modern steel, so it is able to be used in traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding ones. It is equipped with an air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat it produces is transferring into your home, rather than being lost up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times because 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 produce these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is essential to ensure the highest heating and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is an excellent option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes to regulations that have been put in place, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means you can use it with approved fuels, provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive maze 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 the pollution of stoves and regulations, before you shop for the latest multifuel or log fire.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing its part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. 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 huge door glass that provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system to avoid soot build up.

With a heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove for most rooms and it's also extremely easy to operate and maintain. The curved lines and classical design make it ideal for modern or traditional decor. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses and it's very easy to install a direct-air system to improve the efficiency of the system.

The stove also comes with an ash dump built-in, which makes it easy to clean ashes and remove them frequently. This reduces the risk of odours and dust escaping the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors, dependent on the chimney type. It is also available with wireless remote control.

While the debate rages on about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create a wonderful ambience in our homes. It's important to consider the health effects of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean 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 dance, but it also helps reduce blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place and new log burners must meet higher standards. This reduces smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards. It has a widescreen glass viewing window that gives you an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with a powerful air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air-ventilation kit. It's now simpler to set up than ever before. It's a durable model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.

This stove is the clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and certified as eco-friendly and Wood burners efficient. This is above the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that has the complete five star clearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a major brand in the world of wood burners with a maverick flair that is not to be missed. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their brand focus and demonstrates their ability to deliver a superior product for the price that's not too expensive. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully in compliance with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be confident that their log burners will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.