The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove are well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles released by them?
New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm, cozy home, and not break your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet does not sacrifice performance. It's a fantastic choice for those who live in smoke-controlled 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 output of heat makes it a great option for larger spaces and the large glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.
It features a contemporary steel body, which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It comes with an integrated air wash system, which keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the build-up of soot. The stove is highly efficient, meaning that it carries a large portion of the heat generated to your home, instead of being directed up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently because it has been demonstrated that they cause microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 that has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
It is essential to choose the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the highest heat output and combustion. There are many kinds of wood that can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's Defra-exempt and ClearSkies-rated, so you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful sturdy burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a strong construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and the ban of log burners. It's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to shopping for the latest multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one of the companies which is working to ensure that woodburners remain popular. They have released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that offers an amazing flame image. It also has an airwash system which prevents soot build-up.
With a heat output of 4.9kW this is a great stove for most rooms and it's also extremely simple to operate and maintain. Its curving lines and classic style make it ideal for both traditional and modern style. This model is easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which will increase the efficiency.
This stove also has a built-in ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them up regularly. This reduces the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. You can select between two kinds of flue adaptors dependent on the chimney type. It also comes with an wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a beautiful atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they're healthy for us. It's important to consider the health risks of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you're installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when you are not working on the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to keep the air as healthy as is possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has shown that older stoves can be harmful due to the tiny particles of soot that can be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has resulted in new regulations being put into place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This will reduce creosote build-up, smoke leakage and more important, 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 meets, but exceeds these new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a widescreen glass view window that provides a great flame view, and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. This stove has an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions which will take force in 2022.
This stove comes with a free air ventilation kit. It's now easier to install than ever. It's a sturdy little unit constructed using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as 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 verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that has the complete five-star ClearSkies rating, which means you can be certain that this woodburner is as efficient as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. They are known for their small multi-fuel stoves, which come in an array of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their focus on brand and also demonstrates that they can still provide the best quality product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. wood burning fire has the level five ClearSkies certification. It is the perfect choice for those who don't know where the directive will go and want to be confident that their log burners are free of smoke control regulations.