The Best Woodburners
The relaxing, blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood stove have been well-documented. But what about the tiny sooty particles they release into the air?
New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy a warm, cosy home, without breaking your environmental obligations.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great choice for those living in areas with smoke restrictions since it has Level 5 ClearSkies credentials, which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its large heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large rooms. The large fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.
It is made of modern steel, so it can be installed in both traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding situations. It is equipped with an air wash system that keeps the glass clean and prevents soot build-up. The stove is highly efficient, which means that it can transfer a significant amount of heat produced to your home, instead of going up the chimney.
The recent criticism of wood burners has grown, since it was shown that they could contribute to the production of microscopic sooty particles referred to as PM2.5. These particles have been linked to heart and lung issues. Newer models that comply with the Eco design Regulations will be less likely to generate these sooty particles. These are only a small part of the total pollution created by burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal, however there is no doubt that wood stoves are a source of this pollution.
It is crucial to select the correct wood for the stove in order to get the highest heat output and the best combustion. There are wood burning stove near me of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech and hazel. Eucalyptus is a good choice because it's fast-burning and offers a great deal of heat, but it must be and properly seasoned. Beech is also a great choice, but it's difficult to manage due to its thorns.
The Ekol Adept has been designed to be able to withstand the imminent changes in regulations that have been put in place, and it's Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means that you can use it with approved fuels so long as you follow the guidelines. It's a powerful burner that's 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 are still extremely popular, and despite the directive muddle that is surrounding them, they're not going anywhere. Some groups have pushed for tighter regulations and the ban of log burners. It's worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations prior to shopping for a new multifuel or log fire.
Arada Stoves is a company that is doing its part to keep woodburners popular. They have launched an expanded version of their popular Holborn Multifuel/Wood Burning Stove. It's a DEFRA-approved SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready stove with a wide door glass that gives you an excellent flame picture and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.
This stove is simple to use and has a a heat output rating of 4.9kW. The curving lines and classical design makes it suitable for traditional and modern style. This model can be easily fitted into smaller spaces because of its flat back design. It is also simple to install direct air systems using this model, which will improve the efficiency.
The stove also comes with an integrated ash dump that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them up regularly. This decreases the chance of odours and dust getting out of the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you are using, and it's available with an remote control.
While the debate rages on about whether or not woodburning stoves are good for your health, we can all agree that they create a beautiful ambiences in our homes. However, it's important to keep in mind the effects of particulate matter as well as how burning wood and other types of fuels can affect our indoor air quality and health. 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. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air is as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
It's soothing to watch the flames flutter, and it can help reduce blood pressure. But there's not a lot of good news. Research has shown that older stoves are dangerous due to the tiny particles of soot which can enter your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log burners are up to the highest standards. This reduces the risk on smoke leakage, creosote accumulation and, most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
New woodburners have to meet the new safety standards. The Go Eco 5kW Plus is a multi-fuel stove that not only is in compliance, but even exceeds the new standards, but also exceeds them. It features a large-screen glass viewing window that offers an excellent view of the flame, and is maintained clean by a powerful air wash system. The stove boasts an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke-free areas. It's also SIA Ecodesign ready which means it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions that will come into the market in 2022.
This stove comes with a complimentary air-ventilation kit. It's now easier to install than it has ever been. 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 verified to be environmentally friendly and efficient, this is above and beyond the basic requirements set out by Ecodesign. It's one of the very 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
A feisty Welsh brand, Chilli Penguin has become an established brand in the world of wood burners with a distinctive style that's not to be ignored. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves, which have earned them an enviable reputation due to their low flue-draught requirements, hotplate tops and integral ovens and a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a perfect example of their focus on branding and also demonstrates that they can still provide an excellent product at a price that isn't too costly. 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 comes with ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It is an excellent choice for those who are unsure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their stove will continue to be exempt from the smoke control regulations.