The Best Woodburners
Wood burning stoves are known to lower blood pressure and help relax. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by them?
Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can enjoy a warm, cozy home, and not break your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great option for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it an ideal choice for larger rooms and the huge glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.
It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It is equipped with an air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, meaning that a high percentage 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 found that they can contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.
Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is vital to ensure optimal combustion and heat output. There are a variety of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces plenty of heat, is a good option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is another good choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that's built to last, featuring sturdy construction and a 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 directives that surround them. Some campaign groups have called for stricter regulations, and even a log burner ban. It's worth reading about our guide on stove pollution and regulations, before you decide on an all-fuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one company which is working to keep woodburners in demand. 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, which gives you an excellent flame picture and an airwash system to avoid soot accumulation.
This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design make it ideal for modern or traditional style. The flat back design means it can be fitted into shallower recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system to improve the efficiency of the system.
Another great feature of this stove is its built in ash dump which makes it simple to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust escaping into the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It also comes with a wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they're good for health. However, it is important to consider the impact of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood or other forms of fuels can impact 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 closed when not tending the fire. Also, you should regularly clean out the stove to ensure that the air is as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's soothing to watch the flames flicker and help reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has shown that older stoves are harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot that can enter your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place and new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as 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 features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will come into the market in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to install. This is a robust stove made of 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.
This stove is a clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and certified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that has the complete five star clearSkies rating, so you can be confident that this woodburner is as good as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a major player among wood burner brands with a unique style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements integral ovens and hotplate tops as well as a variety of sizes and features. Fireplaces And Stove is a great example of their brand focus and shows that they can deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too expensive. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with level five ClearSkies certification. It is a great choice for those who aren't sure what direction the directive is going and want peace of mind that their log burner will continue to be exempt from the smoke control regulations.