The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are believed to reduce blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles they release into the air?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. So you can enjoy a warm and cozy home, and not break your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but does not compromise on performance. It's a fantastic choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output also makes it a great option for larger rooms and the huge fire glass provides a stunning view of the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel body which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids soot build-up. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a large portion of the heat it generates is transferring into your home, rather than being lost up the chimney.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was found that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burners contribute to the pollution created from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best heating and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is quick-burning, but also offers plenty of heat, is an excellent option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle 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 so long as you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is built to last, with a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing guidelines that are thrown at them. In fact, some groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on log burners, which is why it's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you buy an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company that is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen model of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that gives a great flame picture. It also has an airwash system that stops soot accumulation.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW, this is a fantastic stove for all rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. The curved lines and classical design makes it suitable for both traditional and modern design. This model is easily fitted into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems with this model, which will increase the efficiency.

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

small wood burning stoves uk-burning stoves create a beautiful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether they're healthy for us. It is crucial to consider the health risks of indoor pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed, it is recommended that you keep the door closed 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 is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner stoves can add a wonderful ambience to a room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help to reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Studies have 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 put in place to ensure that stoves are up to the highest standards. This reduces the risk on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must 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. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with a powerful air washing system. This stove has an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets European restrictions on the emissions of wood-burning stoves that will come into force in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to put it in place. It's a sturdy little unit, 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 coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.

This stove comes with a clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and verified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes above and beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves that has the full five-star clearSkies rating which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established brand in the world of wood burners with a maverick flair that's not to be ignored. They specialize in small shed wood stove, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements hotplate tops and integral ovens and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a fantastic example of their focus on brand and shows that they can offer a premium product at the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It is a great choice for those who aren't sure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their fireplace will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.