The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

The good news is that new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. This means you can enjoy a warm and cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not compromise on performance. It's a great option for those living in smoke controlled areas as it comes with the Level 5 ClearSkies credentials that means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a great option for large spaces. The huge fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.

It is made of modern steel, which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well freestanding spaces. It comes with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and stops 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.

Recent criticism of wood burners has increased, as it was found that they could contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. However, newer models that are made to comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to create these particles. They're only a tiny portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the primary source of this pollutant.

It is important to choose the right wood for the stove in order to get the best heat output and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice because it's fast-burning and provides a lot of heat, but it needs to be well prepared. Beech is another good choice but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without protective gloves.

The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner that's built to last, with solid construction and a 10-year body warranty, back by its impressive heating performance.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing guidelines that are thrown at the use of these stoves. Some campaign groups have pushed for tighter regulations and the ban of log burners. It's worth checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations, before you shop for the latest multifuel or log fire.

Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to keep woodburners popular. They'vete leakage, smoke build-up and most importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only meets, but surpasses the new standards, but also exceeds them. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by the powerful air cleaning system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will be in force in 2022.

This stove comes with a complimentary air ventilation kit. It is now easier to install than ever. It's a durable model made of Premium Stainless Steel Wood Stove - Portable and Foldable steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean since the body is coated in an enamel that is able to repel dirt and grime.

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

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player in the wood burner market with a maverick flair that is not to be missed. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements hotplate tops and integral ovens as well as a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their focus on brand and also shows that they can still provide a superior product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It is a great option for those who aren't sure what direction the directive is going and want to rest assured that their log burner will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.