The Best Woodburners

Wood burners are believed to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

Fortunately, the latest stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in mind. You can enjoy a warm and cosy home, without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not sacrifice performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output also makes it a great option for larger spaces, and the generous fire glass offers a beautiful view of your flames.

It is constructed from modern steel, and therefore is able to be used in traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, which means that a significant portion of the heat it generates is transferring to your home instead of being lost to the chimney.

Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times because it has been shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 that has been linked with lung and heart problems. However, Cozy Living Room newer models that conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burners contribute to pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

It is important to choose the appropriate wood for your stove to ensure the best heat output and combustion. Many types of wood can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning but also provides a lot heat, is a good choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle with 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 long as you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a robust construction. Its heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain very popular and, despite the directive maze that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on log burners, which is why it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.

One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves, who recently released a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood 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 that prevents soot accumulation.

With a power output of 4.9kW, this is a fantastic stove for the majority of rooms. It's extremely simple to operate and maintain. The curving lines and classic style make it suitable for both traditional and modern decor. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses. It's also very simple to set up a direct air system with this model to increase the efficiency even more.

Another great feature of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it very easy to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust getting into the Cozy Living Room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's equipped with an remote control.

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

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing to watch the flames flicker and can lower blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has proven that older stoves are dangerous because they release microscopic particles of soot that can get into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This will 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. It has a widescreen glass viewing window that gives you an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It's DEFRA exempt, which means it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it is already in compliance with European emissions restrictions for wood burner clearance sale-burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It's now simpler to install than ever. This is a robust model made of premium steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be sustainable and efficient. This is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of one stove on our list to have the full five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big brand in the world of wood burners with a maverick flair that is not to be missed. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens as well as a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on branding, 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 can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It's the ideal choice for those who don't know where the directive will go and want to be confident that their log burners are exempt from the smoke control regulations.