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?

New stoves are designed to be compliant with the EcoDesign directive. This means you can enjoy a warm, cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It is a great choice for those who live in smoke-controlled areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great choice for large-sized rooms. The huge fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel body which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It has an air wash system that keeps the glass clean, and prevents soot accumulation. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat it generates is transferring into your home, rather than being lost up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times, as it has been demonstrated that they cause microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5 which has been linked to lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

Choosing the right wood for your stove is essential to ensure the best heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is a great choice because it's fast-burning and produces a lot of heat, however it requires to be prepared. Beech is also a great choice, but it's difficult to handle because of its thorns.

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 is durable and comes with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a robust construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing guidelines that govern them. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for more stricter restrictions and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you go shopping for a new log fire or multifuel burner.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing its part to ensure that woodburners remain 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 gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to prevent soot from accumulating.

With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove to heat all rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. Its curved lines and classic design make it suitable for traditional or contemporary style. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system to improve the efficiency of the system.

The stove also comes with a built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you are using, and it's accessible with an remote control.

Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they are good for our health. However, it's important to be aware of the impact of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door shut when not tending the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus


It's soothing to watch the flames flutter, and it can help reduce blood pressure. It's not without it's problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm because they release microscopic soot particles that get into your breathing system. New regulations are in place to ensure that log burners have higher standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just is in compliance, but even exceeds these new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear view window that provides an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with a powerful air wash system. This stove has an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke controlled areas. antique wood burning stove fireplacesandstove is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free, making it easier than ever to put it in place. It's a solid little stove constructed using top-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 keeps dirt and grime out.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be environmentally friendly and efficient, this goes over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five-star clearSkies rating so you can be confident that this woodburner is as good as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a maverick style that shouldn't be missed out on. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus, and also shows that they can still provide the best quality product at a cost that won't break the bank. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully conforming to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has the level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be sure that their log burners are free of smoke control regulations.