The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove are well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles released by the wood burners?
The good news is that new stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in the back of your mind. You can have an inviting and cozy home without compromising on your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn’t scrimp on performance. It’s a fantastic choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs as well as approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it an ideal choice for larger rooms and the large glass firebox provides a stunning view of the flames.
It is constructed from modern LAMA Stainless Steel Camping Stove – Durable Wood Burning Solution, and therefore can be used in both traditional inglenooks as well freestanding spaces. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and avoids soot accumulation. The stove is highly efficient, meaning that it carries a large portion of the heat it produces to your home, instead of going up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently because it has been proven that they contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked to lung and heart problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
The right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure optimal heating and combustion. There are a variety of wood types that can be used, including eucalyptus and Ash. Eucalyptus is fast-burning but also provides plenty 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 without protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with 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 robust burner that is built to last, with sturdy construction and a 10-year body warranty, backed up by its incredibly impressive heating performance.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves remain popular despite the confusing regulations that are thrown at them. In fact, some campaign groups are calling for tighter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, which is why it’s worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy a new log fire or multifuel burner.
One company which is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners at a 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 large door glass that provides the best flame view and an airwash system to prevent soot accumulation.
This stove is simple to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical style make it suitable for modern or traditional decor. The flat back design means that it can be placed in shallower recesses. It’s also very simple to install a direct-air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.
The stove also comes with an integrated ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them up regularly. This helps reduce the risk of odours and dust escaping the room. You can select between two types of flue adaptors, depending on your chimney type. It is also available with an wireless remote control.
YilwnnCse Wood Burning Stove: Outdoor Heating Solution-burning stoves create a lovely atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether or not they are good for our health. However, it’s important to be aware of the impact of particulate matter as well as the way that burning wood and other types of fuel can affect the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you’re installing a woodburner, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not tending to the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to keep the air as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it’s not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it can also help lower blood pressure. It’s not without it’s problems however, studies have revealed that older stoves can cause harm due to the production of microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been put in place to ensure that stoves have higher standards. This will cut down on creosote leakage, smoke build-up and most importantly – harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must be in compliance with a new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kW Plus stands out, this multi-fuel stove not only meets but exceeds the new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean with the powerful air cleaning system. The stove boasts an impressive efficiency rating of 80. It is DEFRA exempt, which means it can be used within smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets the European emission limits for wood-burning stoves which will be in place in 2022.
As if that weren’t enough, the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever before to set up. It’s a sturdy little unit, that has been built using top-quality steel. The finish is a classic matte black. It’s easy to clean since the body has been coated with an enamel that wards off dirt.
The clearSkies label on this stove indicates that it has been independently tested and confirmed to be eco-friendly and efficient. This is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only the stoves on our list that have the five-star clearSkies rating.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh corner wood heater burner brand that has a maverick style that shouldn’t be missed out on. Chilli Penguin is known for its small multi-fuel stoves, which come in a wide range of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on brand and also shows that they can still deliver an excellent product at a price that won’t break the bank. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies certification. It is an excellent choice for those who are not sure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their log burner will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.