Are The Advances In Technology Making Best Woodburners Better Or Worse?

The Best Woodburners

The relaxation and blood pressure-reducing benefits of a wood burner are well-documented. What about the tiny soot particles that they release?

New stoves are made to be in line with the EcoDesign directive. You can have a warm and cosy home, without compromising your environmental obligations.

1. Ekol Edge

The Ekol Edge is a simple-looking wood burner that doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s an excellent choice for those living in smoke controlled areas as it is certified with Level 5 ClearSkies credentials which means it can be used with dry and seasoned logs and approved solid fuels. Its high heat output makes it a great choice for large rooms. The large fire glass also permits you to enjoy the flames.

It is constructed of modern steel, and Wood burning Stove therefore is able to be used in traditional inglenooks as well as freestanding situations. It features an air wash system which keeps the glass clean and helps prevent the accumulation of soot. The stove is extremely efficiency during the winter months, which means that a significant portion of the heat produced is transferring into your home rather than being lost to the chimney.

The criticism of wood burning stoves has increased, because it was shown that they may contribute to the creation of tiny sooty air particles called PM2.5. These particles have been associated with lung and heart problems. However, modern models that are made to meet the Eco design Regulations are much less likely to generate these particles. They are just a small portion of the overall pollution generated by burning fossil fuels like gas and coal, but there is no doubt that wood stoves are the main source of this pollutant.

Selecting the appropriate wood for your stove is crucial to ensure optimal combustion and heat output. There are a myriad of wood that can be used for burning such as eucalyptus, ash, hazel and beech. Eucalyptus, which is fast-burning and also produces plenty of heat, is a great choice. However, it needs to be well-seasoned. Beech is a great option, but it’s difficult to work with 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 is Defra exempt and ClearSkies certified, which means you can use it with approved fuels provided you adhere to the guidelines. It’s a robust burner that is built to last, featuring 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 very popular and despite the directive maze that is surrounding them they’re not going to disappear. In fact, some advocacy groups are calling for much tighter restrictions and even a ban on log burners, so it’s worth reading our guide to stove pollution and regulations before you buy new log fires or a multifuel burner.

One company that is trying to keep the popularity of woodburners at a high is Arada Stoves, who 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 large door glass that provides an impressive flame image and an airwash system to avoid soot from accumulating.

This stove is easy to operate, and comes with a an output of 4.9kW. The curved lines and classical style make it ideal for traditional and contemporary style. The flat back design ensures it can be fitted into shallower recesses. It’s also very simple to install a direct-air system with this model to improve the efficiency of the system.

Another great aspect of this stove is its built in ash dump which makes it very easy to remove and clean out ashes on a regular basis and reduces the chance of odours and dust escaping into the room. There’s a choice of two flue adaptors (standard or pre-fabricated) depending on the chimney type you have, and it’s also equipped with the option of a remote control.

As the debate rages about whether wood burning stoves are beneficial to your health We can all agree that they create a beautiful ambiences in our homes. It is important to think about the health consequences of indoor pollution and particulate matter. If you’re installing an appliance that burns wood, it is recommended to shut the door when you are not interacting with the flame. Also, you should regularly clean the stove to ensure that the air as clean as it can be.

3. Go Eco 5kW Plus

A woodburner provides a beautiful ambience to a room, it’s not only relaxing to watch the flames dance, but it can also help lower 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 that can be absorbed into your respiratory system. This has led to new regulations being put into place, which means that new log burners need to meet higher standards. This will cut down on creosote leakage, smoke build-up and most importantly harmful gases like carbon monoxide.

New woodburners must be in compliance with a brand new standard and this is where the Go Eco 5kw wood burning stove Plus stands out, this multi-fuel stove not only meets but exceeds the new standards. It has a large, clear viewing window that gives you an excellent view of the flame, and is kept clean with the power of an air wash system. This stove boasts an impressive 80% efficiency rating. It is DEFRA exempt, which means it is able to be used in smoke-free areas. It’s also SIA Ecodesign ready which means that it already meets the European restrictions on wood burning stove emissions which will take effect in 2022.

If that wasn’t enough the stove comes with an air venting kit that is included, making it easier than ever to put it in place. It’s a solid little stove constructed using top-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 is able to repel dirt and grime.

The clearSkies label on this stove demonstrates that it has been independently tested and verified to be sustainable and efficient, this goes above the basic requirements laid out by Ecodesign. This is one of only a few stoves in our list that carry the entire five-star ClearSkies rating.

4. Chilli Penguin Defrost

Chilli Penguin is a feisty Welsh wood burner manufacturer with an unorthodox style that shouldn’t be overlooked. They specialize in small, all-in-one multi-fuel stoves that have achieved cult status thanks to their low flue-draught requirements stove tops with hotplates, integrated ovens and a variety of sizes and features. This 4.7kW model is a great example of their focus on brand and demonstrates their ability to deliver a superior product for an affordable price that isn’t too high. This DEFRA-approved woodburner can be used for use in Smoke Control Areas, and is fully conforms to the current 5g/hr emissions limit. It also has ClearSkies Level Five credentials. It’s the ideal choice for those who don’t know what the future direction of the directive is and want to be sure that their log burners are exempt from the smoke control regulations.