The Best Woodburners
Wood burning stoves are known to reduce blood pressure and relax. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?
New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm and cosy home without compromising on your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It is a great choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an ideal option for larger spaces, and the generous glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.
It is constructed of modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding spaces. It comes with an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it can transfer a significant amount of the heat it produces to your home, instead of being emitted up the chimney.
The recent criticism of wood burners has grown, since it was shown that they could contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. These are only a small portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the primary source of this pollutant.
It is important to choose the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the best heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is quick-burning, but also offers lots of heat, is a great option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes in regulations that were recently implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner that's built to last, with solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still extremely popular, and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even a ban on log burners. It's worth reading our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations, prior to shopping for a new multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They've released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that gives an amazing flame image. There's also an airwash system that stops the accumulation of soot.
With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for all rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design make it ideal for traditional or contemporary style. This model is easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.
Another great aspect of this stove is the built-in ash dump, which makes it very easy to clean up 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) depending on the chimney type you are using, and it's accessible with an remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a lovely ambience in our homes, regardless of whether they are healthy for us. However, it is important to be aware of the effects of particulate matter and the way that burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. If you are installing a woodburner, it's recommended to shut the door when not tending to the fire. It is also recommended to regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as it can be.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner adds a lovely atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. There are some issues however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm due to the production of tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This reduces creosote build-up, smoke leakage and more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. It features a large-screen glass view window that provides the best view of your flame and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets European emission limits for wood burning stove s that will be in effect in 2022.
As if that wasn't enough the stove comes with an air venting kit for free making it simpler than ever before to set up. It's a solid little stove, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that repels dirt.
This stove is a clearSkies label, which indicates that it has been independently tested and certified as eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that have the full five-star clearSkies rating which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn't be overlooked. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with various options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their focus on brand and demonstrates their ability to deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be confident that their log burners are exempt from the smoke control regulations.