The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles released by the wood burners?

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. You can have a warm and cosy home without compromising on your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but doesn't compromise on performance. It is a great choice for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it a great choice for large-sized rooms. The generous fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, and therefore can be used wood burning stoves in both traditional inglenooks as well freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat it generates is transferring to your home instead of being lost up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was shown that they may contribute to the production of tiny sooty air 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 create these sooty particles. These are only a small portion of the overall pollution generated by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are a source of this pollution.

It is crucial to select the right wood for the stove to ensure the highest heat output and the best combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be utilized, including eucalyptus as well as ash. Eucalyptus is a good choice due to its rapid burning and provides a lot of heat, but it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is another good choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle without 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 adhere to the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that is built to last, with sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning outdoor woodburning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing their part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They have launched a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that provides an amazing flame image. There is also an airwash system that stops soot build-up.

This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classic design make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary style. The flat back design means it can be fitted into shallower recesses. It's also very simple to install a direct air system to increase the efficiency even more.

Another excellent aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it simple to remove and clean out the ashes regularly and reduces the possibility of odours or dust that escapes into the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's available with an remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether they're healthy for us. However, it's important to be aware of the effects of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning cheap wood burning stove or other forms of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door closed when you're not working on the fire, and clean the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's enjoyable watching the flames flicker and help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your breathing system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log burners meet higher standards. This will reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but surpasses the new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you a great flame view, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it already meets European emissions restrictions for wood burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever to install. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built with high-quality 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.

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

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a major player among wood burning stove modern burner brands with a distinctive style that's not to be ignored. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them popularity due 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 branding and also demonstrates that they can still deliver a superior product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is a great choice for those who are not sure what direction the directive is going and want peace of mind that their fireplace remains exempt from smoke control regulations.