The Best Woodburners
Wood burning stoves are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?
The good news is that new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can have a warm and cosy home, without compromising your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It's an excellent choice for those who live in areas with smoke restrictions since it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. The high output of heat makes it a good option for larger spaces, and the generous glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.
It is equipped with a modern steel frame that allows it to be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat it generates is being transferred into your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.
Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was discovered that they may contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to lung and heart problems. However, modern models that are made to comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
It is crucial to select the right wood for the stove to ensure the best heat output and the best combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a good choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so long as you adhere to the guidelines. It's a powerful sturdy burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. Some campaign groups have pushed for stricter regulations, and even the ban of log burners. It's worth reading about our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations prior to shopping for an all-fuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They have launched 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 provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system to avoid soot build up.
This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for both traditional and modern style. This model can be 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 that makes it simple to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis which reduces the possibility of odours or dust escaping into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's accessible with an remote control.
While the debate continues about whether wood-burning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. However, it's important to keep in mind the effects of particulate matter and the way that burning wood and other kinds of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door shut when you're not working on the fire, and clean out the stove to ensure that the air is as healthy as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help to lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm as they produce tiny soot particles that can get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves are up to the highest standards. Fireplaces And Stove reduces creosote and smoke leakage and more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply 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. The stove has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that 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 be in the market in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit for free making it much easier than ever before to set up. 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 wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and verified to be eco-friendly and efficient, this goes above and above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list that have the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established player among wood burner brands with a maverick flair that is not to be missed. They specialise 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 sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their brand focus and shows that they can deliver a superior product for a price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has ClearSkies level five credentials. It is a great option for those who are not sure what direction the directive is going and want to be confident that their log burner will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.