The Best Woodburners
The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner 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 enjoy a warm and cosy home, without breaking your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, yet does not compromise on performance. It's an excellent choice for those who live in areas with smoke restrictions since it comes with Level 5 ClearSkies certification which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a good choice for larger rooms and the huge glass firebox provides a stunning view of your flames.
It is constructed from modern steel, which means it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding situations. It has an integrated air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot accumulation. The stove is a great seasonal efficiency, meaning that a significant portion of the heat it generates is being transferred into your home, rather than being lost to the chimney.
Wood burners have come under many criticisms in recent years, as it has been demonstrated that they contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air, known as PM2.5, which has been linked to heart and lung problems. Newer models that meet the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to produce these sooty particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution that is produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
Choosing the right wood for your stove is vital to ensure optimal heating and combustion. Many types of wood can be used, including eucalyptus and ash. Eucalyptus, which is quick-burning, but also offers lots of heat, is a good choice. However, it should be well-seasoned. Beech is also a good choice, but it's difficult to work with due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to handle the upcoming changes to regulations that were recently implemented, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies rated, which means that you can use it with approved fuels, provided you adhere to the guidelines. It's a robust burner designed to last, featuring 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 are very popular and, despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they're not going to disappear. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and the ban of log burners. outdoor wood burning stove checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations, prior to shopping for an all-fuel or log fire.
One company that is making an effort to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves. They have 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 huge door glass that gives you an impressive flame image and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot build up.
This stove is simple to use, and has a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classic design makes it suitable for traditional and contemporary decor. The flat back design means that it can be inserted into smaller recesses and it's very easy to set up a direct air system to boost the efficiency further.
Another fantastic aspect of this stove is its built-in ash dump, which makes it simple to clean and remove the ashes regularly, helping to reduce the possibility of odours or dust getting into the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you have, and it's also accessible with a remote control.
While the debate rages on about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health, we can all agree that they create wonderful ambience in our homes. It's important to consider the health consequences of indoor air pollution and particulate matter. So, if you're planning to have a woodburner installed it is recommended that you keep the door closed when you're not in the vicinity of the fire and regularly clean the stove to ensure the air is as healthy as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner can add a wonderful atmosphere to any room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker but it can also help to reduce blood pressure. There are some issues though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm as they produce microscopic soot particles that get into your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place and new log burners need to meet higher standards. This helps reduce creosote and smoke leakage and more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must meet a new safety standard. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not just meets, but surpasses the new standards, but also exceeds them. The stove features a large-screen viewing glass that lets you see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean thanks to a powerful air washing system. This stove boasts an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt which means it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready, which means it is already in compliance with European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will be in force in 2022.
This stove comes with a free air vent kit. It is now easier to set up than ever before. It's a robust little appliance constructed using high-quality steel. The finish is a classic matt black and it's easy to keep clean because the body is coated with an enamel that keeps dirt and grime out.
The clearSkies label on this stove shows that it has been independently tested and verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient. This is above and over the minimum requirements laid out by Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves on our list that has the complete five-star ClearSkies rating, which means you can be certain 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 missed out on. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves that have achieved popularity due to their low flue-draught requirements integral ovens and hotplate tops and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is a great illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates their ability to offer a premium product at the price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also comes with ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It is the perfect choice for those who don't know what the directive will be and want to feel secure that their log burners are exempt from smoke control regulations.