The Best Woodburners
Wood burners are believed to lower blood pressure and relax. But what about the microscopic sooty particles that they release into the air?
New stoves are designed to comply with the EcoDesign directive. You can enjoy an inviting and cozy home without breaking your environmental commitments.
1. Ekol Edge
The Ekol Edge wood burner is simple in appearance, but doesn't compromise on performance. It's a great option for people who live in smoke-free areas, as it has ClearSkies Level 5 credentials. This means that it can burn dry and seasoned wood logs or approved solid fuels. The high heat output makes it a fantastic choice for large rooms. The huge fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.
It features a contemporary steel body which means it can be used in both traditional inglenooks and freestanding areas. It is equipped with an air wash system, which keeps the glass clean and avoids soot accumulation. The stove is highly efficient, meaning it transfers a large percentage of the heat it produces to your home instead of going up the chimney.
Wood burners have come under a lot of criticism recently, as it has been shown that they can contribute to microscopic sooty particles in the air called PM2.5 which has been linked with lung and heart issues. However, modern models that are made to conform to the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to produce these particles. Wood burning stoves contribute to the pollution produced from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
It is essential to choose the correct wood for the stove to ensure the highest heat output and the best combustion. There are a myriad of wood that can be burned, including eucalyptus, ash hazel, beech, and hazel. Eucalyptus is a good choice since it burns quickly and produces a lot of heat, however it needs to be well seasoned. portable wood burning stove is a different option but its sharp thorns make it difficult to handle without 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 so it is if you follow the guidelines. It's a robust burner that's built to last, featuring a robust construction and 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 surround the use of these stoves. In fact, some campaign 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 go shopping for an updated log fire or multifuel burner.
One company that is doing its bit to keep the popularity of woodburners high is Arada Stoves, who have recently launched a widescreen model of their popular Holborn 5 Multifuel/Wood Burning stove. It's a DEFRA approved, SIA 2022 Ecodesign Ready woodburner with a huge glass door that gives an amazing flame image. There's also an airwash system that stops soot accumulation.
This stove is easy to use, and has an output of 4.9kW. Its curved lines and classic style make it suitable for both traditional and modern design. The flat back design means it can be placed in shallower recesses, and it's easy to set up a direct air system using this model to boost the efficiency further.
The stove also has an ash dump built-in that makes it simple to clear ashes and clean them frequently. This decreases the chance of odours and dust escaping the room. There are two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the type of chimney you are using, and it's equipped with the option of a remote control.
Wood-burning stoves can create a wonderful ambience in our homes, regardless of whether they are healthy for us. But, it's important to keep in mind the impact of particulate matter and the way that burning wood or other forms of fuels can affect the quality of our indoor air and health. So, if you're going to have a woodburner installed it is recommended you keep the door closed when you're not in the vicinity of the fire. Also, you should regularly clean out the stove to ensure the air is as clean as possible.
3. Go Eco 5kW Plus
A woodburner provides a beautiful ambience to a room, it's not only relaxing to watch the flames flicker, but it also helps lower blood pressure. It's not without it's problems however, research has revealed that older stoves can cause harm as they produce microscopic soot particles that get into your respiratory system. New regulations have been enacted to ensure that log stoves have higher standards. This will cut down on smoke leakage, creosote build up 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 not only is in compliance, but even exceeds these new standards. The stove comes with a widescreen viewing glass that allows you to see the flames clearly. It is also kept clean by a powerful air washing system. This stove has an impressive energy efficiency of 80% and is DEFRA exempt which means it can be used in smoke controlled areas. It is also SIA Ecodesign-ready. This means that it already meets the European emission standards for wood-burning stoves that will be in place in 2022.
As if that weren't enough, this stove is supplied with an air venting kit for free, making it easier than ever before to set up. This is a robust unit that's made from 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.
This stove comes with the clearSkies label, which means that it has been independently tested and certified as environmentally friendly and efficient. This goes above and beyond the basic requirements of Ecodesign. It's one of the few stoves that has the complete five star clearSkies rating, which means you can be certain 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 are renowned for their small multi-fuel stoves that come with an array of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a great illustration of their brand's focus and shows that they can offer a premium product at the price that's not too expensive. This DEFRA-approved woodburner is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully in compliance with the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has ClearSkies level five credentials. It is a great option for those who are unsure where the directive is heading and want peace of mind that their log burner will continue to be exempt from smoke control regulations.