The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are known to reduce blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
Fortunately, the latest stoves are built with the EcoDesign directive in mind. This means you can enjoy a warm and cosy home, without breaking your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It is a great choice for people who live in smoke-free areas, since it comes with ClearSkies Level 5 certification. This means it can be used to burn dry and seasoned wood logs, or approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it an excellent choice for large rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.
It is made of modern steel, and therefore is able to be used in traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding situations. It features an air wash system that keeps the glass clear and stops the accumulation of soot. The stove has excellent seasonal efficiency, which means that a high percentage of the heat it produces is being transferred into your home rather than going up the chimney.
The recent criticism of wood burners has increased, because it was shown that they can contribute to the production of microscopic sooty air particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, the latest models that are made to comply with the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. These are only a small portion of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood burning stoves are a source of this pollution.
It is important to choose the right wood for the stove to ensure the best efficiency of heat and combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus is an excellent choice since it burns quickly and produces a lot of heat, but it needs to be well seasoned. Beech is another good choice however its thorns that are vicious make it difficult to handle with protective gloves.
The Ekol Adept is designed to meet the new regulations. outdoor wood burner 's clearSkies-rated and Defra-exempt, which means you can use it so it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner that is durable and comes with a 10-Year Body Warranty and a strong construction. Its heating capabilities are also impressive.
2. Arada Holborn 5 Widescreen
Wood burning stoves are extremely popular, and despite the directive maze that surrounds them and their use, they're going to stay. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and a ban on log burners. It's worth checking out our guide to stove pollution and regulations, before you shop for the latest multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is one company that is doing their part to keep woodburners popular. They have launched a widescreen version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a large door glass, which gives you the best flame view and an airwash system that helps to prevent soot build up.
This stove is simple to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curvaceous lines and classic design make it suitable for modern or traditional style. This model is easily placed in smaller spaces due to its flat back design. It is also easy to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.
This stove also has an integrated ash dump, which makes it easy to clear ashes and clean them up regularly. This reduces the risk of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you have, and it's also available with a remote control.
Wood-burning stoves create a beautiful atmosphere in our homes, regardless of whether they're good for our health. However, it's important to be aware of the effects of particulate matter and the ways that burning wood and other kinds of fuels can impact the quality of indoor air as well as health. If you are installing a woodburner, it's recommended that you close the door when not tending to the flame. It is also recommended to regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as healthy as it can be.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's relaxing watching the flames flicker, and it can help lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems though, research has found that older stoves can cause harm because they release tiny particles of soot that end up in your breathing system. This has resulted in new regulations being put in place and new log burners need to meet higher standards. This will reduce smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, more importantly, harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners must comply with the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that meets, but surpasses these 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 with the powerful air cleaning system. This stove has an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be used in smoke-free areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready, meaning it already meets the European emission limits for wood burning stoves that will come into effect in 2022.
As if that wasn't enough this stove is supplied with an air venting kit that is included making it simpler than ever to put it in place. This is a robust unit that's made from high-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 has an clearSkies label, which indicates that it has been independently tested and verified as eco-friendly and efficient. This is above 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 efficient as it gets.
4. Chilli Penguin Defrost
Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with a unique style that should not be overlooked. They specialise in small do-it-all multi-fuel stoves that have gained cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements, integral ovens and hotplate tops and a variety of features and sizes. This 4.7kW model is an excellent illustration of their brand's focus and demonstrates that they can deliver a superior product for a price that's not too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suited for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully compliant with the current emission limit of 5g/hr. It also has ClearSkies level five certification. It is a great choice for those who are unsure what direction the directive is going and want to rest assured that their log burner will remain exempt from the smoke control regulations.