The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burning stove have been documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles that they release into the air?
New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm and cozy home, and not break your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It is a great choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that 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 larger rooms and the large fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.
It has a modern steel body, which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficient, meaning that it can transfer a significant amount of the heat it produces to your home instead of being emitted up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times, as it has been shown that they can contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5, which has been linked with lung and heart problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. They are just a small portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood stoves are a source of this pollution.
It is crucial to select the correct wood for the stove to ensure the highest efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.
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 it is if you follow the guidelines. It is a heavy-duty, durable 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 popular despite the confusing directives that govern the use of these stoves. Some campaign groups have called for stricter regulations, and even a ban on log burners. It's worth reading our guide on stove pollution and regulations before you decide on a new multifuel or log fire.
One company doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves, who have recently released a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that gives you an impressive flame image and an airwash system to prevent soot from accumulating.
With a maximum heat output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove for most rooms and it's also extremely simple to maintain and use. Its curving lines and classic style make it ideal for traditional or contemporary style. The flat back design means it can be inserted into smaller recesses, and it's easy to install a direct-air system with this model to increase the efficiency even more.
wood burning fire of this stove is the built-in ash dump that makes it easy to clean up and remove ashes on a regular basis which reduces the risk of odours and dust escaping into the room. You can choose between two types of flue adaptors according to the chimney type you have. It also comes with an wireless remote control.
As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are good for your health We can all agree that they create beautiful ambiences in our homes. However, it's important to consider the effects of particulate matter and the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuels can affect the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you are installing a woodburner, it is recommended that you close the door when not working on the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as it can be.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's enjoyable to watch the flames flicker and help reduce blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has proven that older stoves are harmful due to the tiny particles of soot which can get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners must meet higher standards. This reduces creosote and smoke leakage and, more important, harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply with a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only meets, but exceeds these new standards. It has a large, clear view window that provides the best view of your flame and is maintained clean by an air wash system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets the European emission standards for wood-burning stoves which will come into effect in 2022.
This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It is now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a sturdy little unit, that has been built with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated in an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.
This stove has a clearSkies label, which indicates that it has been independently tested and verified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed that have the full five-star ClearSkies rating, which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as great as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a unique style that should not be missed out on. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements integral ovens and hotplate tops as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their focus on brand and demonstrates that they can deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn't too expensive. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies level five credentials. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure what the future direction of the directive is and want to be confident that their log burners will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.