The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove are well-documented. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot that they release?
Fortunately, the latest stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. So you can enjoy a warm and cozy home without breaking your environmental responsibilities.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those who live in areas that are smoke-free since it comes with the Level 5 ClearSkies credentials, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an ideal option for larger rooms and the huge glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.
It has a modern steel body, which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It has an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficiency during the winter months, which means that a significant portion of the heat it produces is transferring into your home rather than being lost to the chimney.
The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was found that they may contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty particles referred to as PM2.5. antique wood burning stove have been linked to heart and lung issues. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced through the burning of fossil fuels like gas and coal.
It is essential to choose the right wood for the stove in order to get the highest heat output and combustion. There are many types of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces a lot heat, is an excellent option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a great choice, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes to regulations that have been implemented as well as being Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is durable and comes with a 10-year body warranty and a sturdy construction. The heating performance is also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing directives that surround them. Some groups have pushed 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 an all-fuel or log fire.
One company which is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners up is Arada Stoves. They have recently released a widescreen version of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a large glass door that provides a great flame picture. There is also an airwash system that prevents soot build-up.
This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary design. The flat back design means it can be fitted into shallower recesses, and it's easy to install a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.
Another excellent aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it very easy to remove and clean out the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust that escapes into the room. You can choose between two kinds of flue adaptors depending on your chimney type. It also comes with wireless remote control.
While the debate rages on about whether or not woodburning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they provide a wonderful ambience in our homes. However, it's important to consider the effects of particulate matter as well as how burning wood and other kinds of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as it can be.
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 without its problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm because they release tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply with a new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out, this multi-fuel stove not only meets, but surpasses the new standards. It has a widescreen glass view window that provides an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever to put it in place. It's a durable stove made of 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 wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-friendly and efficient, this is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves 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 brand that has an unorthodox style that shouldn't be missed out on. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with various sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on branding, and also shows that they can still deliver an excellent product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. vintage wood burning stove is a great choice for those who are not sure which direction the directive is headed and want peace of mind that their stove will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.