The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are believed to reduce blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. This means you can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it is certified with Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output also makes it a good option for larger spaces and the large glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.
It is equipped with a modern steel body which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is extremely seasonal efficiency, which means that a large portion of the heat it produces is transferring into your home, rather than being lost up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently since it was shown that they can contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked with heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to the pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.
Choosing the right wood for your stove is vital to ensure the best heating and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice since it burns quickly and provides a lot of heat, however it needs to be well and properly seasoned. Beech is a different option, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that have been implemented and is Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner designed to last, featuring solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, which is back by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing regulations that surround them. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even the ban of log burners. It's worth reading about our guide on stove pollution and regulations, before you shop for a new multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one company that is doing its part to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They've released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass that gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot build up.
With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's very easy to maintain and use. Its curving lines and classic style make it ideal for both traditional and modern decor. This model is easily placed in smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which will increase the efficiency.
The stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to remove ashes and clean them up regularly. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors, dependent on the chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether or not they are healthy for us. However, it is important to consider the effects of particulate matter and how burning wood and other kinds of fuels can impact our indoor air quality and health. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended you keep the door shut when you're not working on the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure the indoor air is as healthy as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to a room. it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of tiny soot particles that can get in your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must be in compliance with a 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 widescreen glass viewing window that offers an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning that it can be used within smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will be in effect in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included making it much easier than ever to put it in place. It's a sturdy little unit constructed using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.
This stove has the clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and verified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves on our list that has the full five star clearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as great as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established brand in the world of wood burners with a distinctive style that is not to be missed. They specialize in small, do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens, and a range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their brand focus and shows that they can provide a top-quality product at the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully in compliance with the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has level five ClearSkies certification. woodburning stoves is a great choice for those who are unsure which direction the directive is headed and want to be confident that their log burner will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.