The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are known to reduce blood pressure and help relax. But what about the tiny sooty particles that they release into the air?
Fortunately, the latest 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 choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies credentials which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large-sized rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.
small wood burning stove is equipped with a modern steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove has excellent efficiency during the winter months, which means that a large portion of the heat it produces is transferring into your home, rather than going up the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years because it has been demonstrated that they contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 which has been linked to 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 pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.
It is crucial to select the right wood for the stove to ensure the best heat output and the best combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a good option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is also a good alternative, but it's hard to work with due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty sturdy burner with a 10-year body warranty and a strong construction. The heating performance is also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves remain extremely popular, and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even the ban of log burners. It's worth checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you decide on an all-fuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is a company which is working to keep woodburners in demand. They've released an expanded version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that provides an amazing flame image. It also has an airwash system which prevents the accumulation of soot.
This stove is easy to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical style make it suitable for both modern or traditional style. This model is easily incorporated into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.
Another great feature of this stove is its built in ash dump which makes it simple to clean and remove the ashes regularly which reduces the possibility of odours or dust getting into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you are using, and it's available with an remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they are healthy for us. But, it's important to be aware of the impact of particulate matter as well as how burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. So, if you're planning to install a woodburner it is recommended you shut the door when you're not working on the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the indoor air is as healthy as is possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to a room. it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it also helps lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous due to the tiny particles of soot that can enter your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and, most importantly, harmful gases like 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 does not just meet but also exceeds the new standards. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used within areas that are smoke-free. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets the European emission limits for wood-burning stoves which will come into effect in 2022.
This stove comes with a complimentary air ventilation kit. It is now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a solid little stove constructed using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates 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 one of the very few stoves we've reviewed that has the full five-star clearSkies rating so you can be sure that this woodburner is as good as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn't be overlooked. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have gained popularity due to their low flue-draught requirements, integral ovens and hotplate tops and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a fantastic illustration of their brand's 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 emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five credentials. It is an excellent 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 smoke control regulations.