The Best Woodburners

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

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

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge hottest wood stove burner is simple in appearance, but does not sacrifice performance. It's a great option for those who live in areas with smoke restrictions since it is certified with the Level 5 ClearSkies certification that means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a great choice for larger rooms, and the generous glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is a great efficiency during the winter months, which means that a high percentage of the heat it generates is transferring to your home, rather than going up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was shown that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart issues. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. They are just a small part of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the primary source of this pollution.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is vital to ensure optimal heating and combustion. Many types of wood burning stove small can be employed, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice because it's fast-burning and provides a lot of heat, but it must be seasoned. Beech is another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful, durable burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing directives that surround the use of these stoves. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and a log burner ban. It's worth checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you shop for a new multifuel or log fire.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They've released an expanded version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass, which gives you an impressive flame image and an airwash system to avoid soot accumulation.

With a power output of 4.9kW this is a great stove to heat all rooms. It's extremely easy to operate and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design makes it a great choice for modern or traditional style. The flat back design means that it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.

Another great aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the risk of odours and dust escaping into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's accessible with the option of a remote control.

Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they are good for health. However, it is important to consider the effects of particulate matter as well as how burning wood and other kinds of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. So, if you're planning to install a woodburner it is recommended that you keep the door shut when not tending the fire and regularly clean the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful ambience to a room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. However, it's not without its problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release tiny particles of soot that end up into your breathing system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log burners meet higher standards. This will reduce smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to comply with a brand 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. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you the best woodburning stove view of your flame and is maintained clean by an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets the European emissions restrictions for wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.

As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free, making it easier than ever before to set up. It's a robust little appliance, that has been built using top wood burning stoves-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated in an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be sustainable and efficient, this goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that have the full five star clearSkies rating, so you can be sure that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand with a unique style that should not be missed out on. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have gained an enviable reputation 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 prime example of their brand focus and also shows that they are able to provide the best quality 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 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with ClearSkies level five certification. It is a great choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their stove will continue to be exempt from the smoke control regulations.