The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burning stove for a shed burner have been well-documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can enjoy cozy and warm home, without compromising your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a great choice for large rooms. The generous fire glass also lets you to take pleasure in the flames.

It is constructed of modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is a great efficiency during the winter months, which means that a high percentage of the heat produced is transferring to your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.

Wood burners have been the subject of a lot of criticism recently because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 which has been linked with heart and lung problems. However, the latest models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is vital to ensure the best woodburners heat output and combustion. Many types of wood can be employed, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice due to its rapid burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it must be prepared. Beech is a great option, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.

The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a sturdy construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves continue to be popular despite the confusing regulations that govern them. Some groups have called for stricter regulations, and even a log burner ban. It's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for the latest multifuel or log fire.

One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves. They have recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/best wood stoves for tents Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that gives a great flame picture. There's also an airwash system which prevents soot accumulation.

With a heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for all rooms. It's extremely easy to use and maintain. The curving lines and classic design makes it suitable for modern or traditional style. The flat back design ensures it can be fitted into shallower recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.

Another fantastic aspect of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it easy to clean up and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust escaping into the room. There are 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.

As the debate rages about whether wood-burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they provide a beautiful ambiences in our homes. But, it's important to keep in mind the effects of particulate matter as well as the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuels can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. If you're installing a woodburner, it's recommended that you close the door when not tending to the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner can add a wonderful ambience to a room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help reduce blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has proven that older stoves can be harmful due to the tiny particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place and new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on creosote leakage, smoke accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners have to comply with a 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 has a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by the powerful air cleaning system. This stove has an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves that will come into the market in 2022.

This stove comes with a free air ventilation kit. It's now simpler to install than it has ever been. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been sprayed with an enamel that repels dirt.

This stove has an clearSkies label, which indicates that it was independently tested and verified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes above and beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the very few stoves on our list that has the complete five-star clearSkies rating so you can be sure that this woodburner is as great as it gets.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner brand that has a unique style that should not be missed out on. They are renowned for their small modern wood stoves multi-fuel stoves that come with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates that they can deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is a great option for those who aren't sure which direction the directive is headed and want to be confident that their stove remains exempt from the smoke control regulations.