The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?
New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home, and not break your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a fantastic choice for those who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great option for larger spaces, and the generous fire glass provides a stunning view of your flames.
It has a modern steel body that allows it to be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and avoids soot build-up. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat produced is transferring into your home instead of being lost to the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of a lot of criticism recently, as it has been shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Modern models that are compliant with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution that is produced from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
The right wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best combustion and heat output. There are many types of wood that can be used for burning, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes to regulations that have been implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means you can use it with approved fuels, so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner designed to last, with sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, which is supported by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are extremely popular, and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much more stricter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.
One company trying to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass that provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system to prevent soot accumulation.
This stove is simple to use, and has a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classic design make it suitable for traditional and modern decor. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.
This stove also has an integrated ash dump which makes it simple to remove ashes and clean them up regularly. This reduces the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the chimney type you have, and it's accessible with the option of a remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a beautiful atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they're good for our health. However, it is important to be aware of the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood and other kinds of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you're installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when you are not interacting with the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's enjoyable watching the flames flicker, and it can help reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. contemporary wood burning stoves has proven that older stoves can be harmful because they emit microscopic particles of soot that can enter your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but surpasses the new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear view window that provides a great flame view, and is kept clean with a powerful air wash system. The stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.
This stove comes with a no-cost air-ventilation kit. It's now easier to set up than ever before. It's a robust little appliance constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated with an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.
The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-friendly and efficient. This goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves on our list that has the complete five-star clearSkies rating so you can be sure that this woodburner is as good 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 is not to be missed. They specialize in small, do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements hotplate tops and integral ovens as well as a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on branding and also demonstrates that they can still deliver the best quality product at a price that won't break the bank. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also comes with ClearSkies level five credentials. It's the ideal choice for those who don't know what the future direction of the directive is and want to be confident that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.