The Best Woodburners
The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burning stove have been documented. What do you think of the tiny particles of soot released by the wood burners?
New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy cozy and warm home without compromising on your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance but does not compromise on performance. It is a great choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large rooms. The large fire glass also permits you to take pleasure in the flames.
It features a contemporary steel frame which means it can be incorporated into traditional inglenooks and freestanding situations. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove is a great efficiency during the winter months, which means that a high percentage of the heat it produces is transferring to your home instead of going up the chimney.
Wood burners have been the subject of many criticisms in recent years because it has been shown that they can contribute to tiny sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked with lung and heart problems. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. They are just a small portion of the overall pollution produced by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood burners are the main source of this pollutant.
It is important to choose the right wood for the stove to ensure the best heat output and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned in your stove, including eucalyptus hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus, which is quick-burning, but also offers a lot heat, is a great option. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is another great choice, but its vicious thorns make it difficult to handle even with protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to comply with the new regulations. It's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it as it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a robust, durable burner with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a robust construction. The heating performance is also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are still popular despite the confusing directives that are thrown at them. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much stricter restrictions, and even a ban on log burners, so it's worth taking a look at our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to you shop for a new log fire or multifuel burner.
One company trying to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who have recently launched a widescreen version of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass that gives you the best flame view and an airwash system to avoid soot build up.
This stove is simple to operate, and comes with a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curved lines and classical design makes it suitable for both traditional and contemporary decor. This model can be easily incorporated into smaller recesses due to its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems on this model, which can increase the efficiency.
Another fantastic characteristic of this stove is its built in ash dump which makes it simple to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis which reduces the possibility of odours or dust that escapes into the room. There's small wood burning stoves of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's also available with an remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful atmosphere in our homes regardless of whether they are healthy for us. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you are installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not working on the fire. You should also regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful atmosphere to any room, it's not just relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help lower blood pressure. However, it's not all positive news. Research has shown that older stoves can be harmful because they release microscopic particles of soot that could enter your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put in place which means that all new log burners have to meet higher standards. This helps to cut down on creosote leakage, smoke accumulation and, most importantly - harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must be in compliance with a brand 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 lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by an air-washing system that is powerful. This stove has an impressive rating of 80% energy efficiency and is DEFRA exempt meaning that it is able to be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, which means it already meets the European emission standards for wood-burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.
As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with a free air venting kit, making it easier than ever before to set up. This is a sturdy stove made of high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated in an enamel that repels dirt and grime.
This stove is the clearSkies label, which means that it was independently tested and verified as efficient and environmentally friendly. This goes above and beyond the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. This is one of only the stoves on our list to have the five-star clearSkies rating.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become a big player among wood burner brands with a distinctive style that is not to be missed. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have achieved cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements hotplate tops and integral ovens and a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a prime example of their focus on brand and also shows that they can still provide the best quality product at a cost that won't cost you a fortune. This DEFRA approved woodburner can be used in Smoke Control Areas and is fully in compliance with the current 5g/hr emission limit. It also comes with the level five ClearSkies certification. It's the perfect option for those who aren't sure what the future direction of the directive is and want to be sure that their log burners will be free of smoke control regulations.