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?
Luckily, new stoves are designed with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can have cozy and warm home without breaking your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't scrimp on performance. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an excellent option for large spaces. The large fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.
It has a modern steel frame which means it can be installed into both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It is equipped with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and avoids the build-up of soot. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, meaning that a high percentage of the heat it generates is transferring into your home rather than being lost up the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of some criticism in recent times because it has been demonstrated that they contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air called PM2.5, which has been linked with heart and lung problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution created through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
It is essential to choose the appropriate wood for your stove to ensure the best heat output and combustion. There are a variety of wood that can be used for burning, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is quick-burning, but also offers a lot heat, is an excellent choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is a great alternative, but it's hard to manage due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's cleared by ClearSkies and Defra, so you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a heavy-duty burner designed to last, featuring sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, supported by its impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still very popular and despite the directive maze that surrounds them they're not going to disappear. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much more stricter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, which is why it's worth checking out our guide on stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for new log fires or a multifuel burner.
One company that is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who recently released a widescreen version 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 provides the best flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.
This stove is simple to use and has a an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classic design make it suitable for traditional and contemporary style. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems on this model, which will improve the efficiency.
This stove also has an ash dump built-in, which makes it easy to remove ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust escaping the room. There's a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's also accessible with the option of a remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether or not they are good for health. However, it's important to be aware of the negative effects of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood and other types of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed it is recommended you keep the door shut when you're not working on the fire and regularly clean the stove to ensure the air is as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner adds a lovely atmosphere to a room. it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help to lower blood pressure. However, it's not without its problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause a lot of harm because they release tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that stoves have higher standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build up and more 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 is in compliance, but even exceeds 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 thanks to the powerful air cleaning system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It's DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions regarding the emissions from wood-burning stoves which will take force in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit for free making it much easier than ever to put it in place. It's a sturdy little unit constructed using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It's easy to clean as the body has been coated with an enamel that repels dirt.
This stove is an clearSkies label, which means that it has been independently tested and confirmed as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves we've reviewed that have the full five star clearSkies rating, so you can be confident 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 overlooked. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves that have gained an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements, stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens, and a range of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model exemplifies their brand focus and also demonstrates that they can still provide a superior product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner is able to be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It's the ideal choice for those who aren't sure what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners will be exempt from smoke control regulations.