The Best Woodburners
The relaxation, blood pressure-lowering benefits of a wood stove have been well-documented. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
Luckily, new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. So you can enjoy a warm and cosy home, without breaking your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't skimp on performance. It's an excellent choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it comes with the Level 5 ClearSkies certification, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned wood and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large rooms. The huge fire glass also allows you to enjoy the flames.
It is constructed from modern steel, so it is able to be used in traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding spaces. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clear and helps prevent the build-up of soot. wood burner fireplace is extremely efficient, which means that it carries a large portion of the heat it produces to your home instead of being directed up the chimney.
The criticism of wood burning stoves has increased, because it was discovered that they could contribute to the creation of microscopic sooty particles known as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to create these sooty particles. They're only a tiny portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are the main source of this pollution.
It is important to choose the right wood for the stove in order to get the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning but also provides plenty of heat, is a great option. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is a great choice, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it as long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner designed to last, with a robust construction and 10-Year body warranty, which is backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves remain very popular and despite the directive muddle that surrounds them, they're not going anywhere. Some campaign groups have called for stricter regulations, and even a log burner ban. It's worth reading about our guide on stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for an all-fuel or log fire.
One company that is trying to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that gives you an excellent flame picture and an airwash system to prevent soot accumulation.
With a power output of 4.9kW This is a fantastic stove for all rooms. It's very easy to use and maintain. The curving lines and classical design makes it suitable for traditional and modern design. The flat back design means it can be placed in shallower recesses and it's very easy to install a direct-air system with this model to increase the efficiency even more.
Another fantastic characteristic of this stove is the built-in ash dump, which makes it easy to clean up and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the chance of odours and dust escaping into the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) dependent on the type of chimney you have, and it's also available with the option of a remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether or not they are good for health. But, it's important to be aware of the negative effects of particulate matter and the ways that burning wood or other forms of fuel can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. If you're installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended that you close the door when you are not tending to the fire. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner adds a lovely atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help lower blood pressure. But it's not all good news. Studies have 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 in place which means that all new log burners need to be able to meet the highest standards. This will cut down on creosote leakage, smoke build-up and most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply with a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just meets, but exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. It has a large, clear view window that provides a great flame view, and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in areas that are smoke-free. wood burning fireplace is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it is already in compliance with European emission standards for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.
This stove comes with a complimentary air vent kit. It is now easier to install than it has ever been. It's a robust little appliance, that has been built using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy-to-clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.
This stove is a clearSkies label, which signifies that it has been independently tested and certified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This is above the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's among the few stoves we've reviewed 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
A spirited Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player among wood burner brands with a maverick flair that's not to be ignored. They are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent example of their focus on brand and demonstrates their ability to offer a premium product at the price that's not too expensive. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five credentials. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.