The Best Woodburners

The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner stove for shed burner have been well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?

New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can have an inviting and cozy home, without compromising your environmental responsibilities.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It is a great choice for those who live in smoke-controlled areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood burner stove for shed logs, or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it a great option for large spaces. The large fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It is equipped with a modern steel body that allows it to be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It comes with an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents the build-up of soot. The stove is extremely efficiency during the winter months, which means that a significant portion of the heat it generates is transferring into your home rather than being lost up the chimney.

Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently since it was demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air known as PM2.5 that has been linked with heart and lung problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal.

It is essential to choose the right wood for the stove to ensure the highest heat output and combustion. There are a variety of small wood burner stoves that can be used for burning in your stove, including eucalyptus, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces lots of heat, is a good option. However, it must be well-seasoned. Beech is a different option, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.

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 is a heavy-duty burner that is durable and comes with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a strong construction. The heating performance is also impressive.

2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen

Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing directives that surround them. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a complete ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you shop for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.

One company trying to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who recently launched a widescreen version of their renowned Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a huge door glass that provides the best woodburner flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.

With a power output of 4.9kW, this is a great stove to heat the majority of rooms. It's extremely easy to maintain and use. The curvaceous lines and classic design make it ideal for traditional or contemporary design. This model is easily incorporated into smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems with this model, which will improve the efficiency.

The stove also has an ash dump built-in that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of dust and odours escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you are using, and it's available with a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether or not woodburning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create lovely ambience in our homes. It is important to think about the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing a woodburner, it's recommended to shut the door when you are not interacting with the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as is possible.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

It's relaxing to watch the flames flutter, and it can help lower blood pressure. There are some issues however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm because they release tiny soot particles that can get into your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners have to be able to meet the highest standards. This reduces creosote build-up, smoke leakage and, more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just 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 kept clean with an air wash system that is powerful. This stove boasts an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it is already in compliance with European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will be in effect in 2022.

As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever to put it in place. It's a solid little stove constructed with high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black and it's easy to keep clean as the body is coated in an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.

This stove comes with an clearSkies label, which signifies that it has been independently tested and certified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. This is one of a few stoves in our list to have the full five-star clearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player in the wood burner market with a maverick flair that's not to be ignored. They are renowned for their small wall mounted wood burning stove multi-fuel stoves with a wide range of options and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their brand focus and also shows that they are able to provide an excellent product at a price that isn't too costly. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully compliant to the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also has level five ClearSkies qualifications. It is a great option for those who are not sure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their fireplace will remain exempt from smoke control regulations.