The Best Woodburners
Wood burning stoves are known to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
The good news is that new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can have cozy and warm home without compromising on your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It is a great choice for those who live in smoke-free areas, since it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a great option for larger spaces and the huge fire glass provides a stunning view of the flames.
It is made of modern steel, so it can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It is equipped with an air wash system, which keeps the glass clear and helps prevent soot accumulation. The stove is highly efficient, which means that it transfers a large percentage of heat produced to your home instead of going up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under some criticism in recent times since it was shown that they can cause microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart issues. However, newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They're only a tiny portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels like coal and gas, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollutant.
It is important to choose the appropriate wood for your stove in order to get the highest heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be employed, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is a good choice since it burns quickly and produces a lot of heat, however it needs to be well and properly 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 comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is built to last, featuring a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is back by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive muddle that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and even the ban of log burners. It's worth reading about our guide on the pollution of stoves and regulations, prior to shopping for a new multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one of the companies that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They have released a widescreen version for their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's an DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner that has a large glass door that offers the best flame image. It also has an airwash system that prevents the accumulation of soot.
With a power output of 4.9kW This is a great stove for the majority of rooms. It's very easy to operate and maintain. The curved lines and classical style make it suitable for modern or traditional design. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems using this model, which can increase the efficiency.
Another excellent feature of this stove is the built in ash dump which makes it easy to clean and remove ashes on a regular basis, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust that escapes into the room. There are two types of flue adaptors, depending on your chimney type. It is also available with wireless remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are good for our health. It's important to consider the health risks of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you're installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when not interacting with the flame. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's relaxing to watch the flames flutter and can reduce blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous because they emit microscopic particles of soot that could be absorbed into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that stoves meet higher standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you a great flame view, and is kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. The stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets the European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit making it simpler than ever to install. This is a robust stove made of high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean since the body has been sprayed with an enamel that wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. modern wood burner is above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. This is one of one stove on our list that carry the five-star clearSkies rating.
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. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves with various options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on brand and also demonstrates that they can still deliver the best quality product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emissions limit of 5g/hr. It also has the level five ClearSkies certification. It's the ideal choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to be confident that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.