The woodburner has become the must-have autumn/winter accessory, providing a solid presence and a reassuring glow to help see us through the dark nights. But which model to choose? Get it wrong and you’ll end up with a stove that either fails to warm the room or belts out too much heat.
You must calculate the right heat output — measured in kilowatts (kW) — for your space. As a rule of thumb, multiply the length, width and height of the room (in metres), then divide by 14 to find the output required. Look for a model with “clean burn” technology, which feeds in extra air for more complete combustion, and “airwash”, which reduces soot build-up to keep the window clear. If you live in a smoke-control zone and want to burn wood, rather than smokeless fuel, you’ll need an approved “Defra-exempt” stove.
1 For retro lovers
Dovre’s Vintage 30 is a quirky statement stove that will sit nicely with your Eames chair. This 5kW woodburner comes in anthracite or white enamel. If your achingly cool loft is in a smokeless zone, you’ll be glad to hear it’s Defra-exempt. H68cm x W37cm x D44.5cm; from £1,595; dovre.co.uk
2 For the country house
From the same manufacturer, but very different in style, the classic cast-iron Dovre 700 will look right at home in a period inglenook. It comes in wood or multifuel versions, with a hefty output of up to 12kW, and the side door makes loading long logs easy. H70.5cm x W70cm x D41.8cm; £1,695; windsorandetonstoves.co.uk
Advertisement
3 For urban style
The Danish firm Morso’s smallest stove, the 04 has a minimalist design that works perfectly with modern decor. It’s a 5kW multifuel model with clean-burn technology and airwash — and, crucially for city dwellers, it is Defra-exempt. H57.3cm x W40.1cm x D43.1cm; £1,125; morso.co.uk
4 For a small fireplace
If your fireplace is not very deep, look for a model with the spigot (flue connector) set towards the back. The Stovax Stockton 3 fits neatly into a standard fireplace, yet packs a decent punch, with a 3.75kW output. Suitable for smokeless zones, it comes in black, brown, blue or green. H51cm x W38.9cm x D29.1cm; £649; stovax.com
5 For a grand design
Inset stoves fit flush into the wall, providing a seamless “window” filled with flames. The Fondis range includes the new 14.9kW Ulys 900, which is double-sided, heating two rooms at once; for an even sleeker finish, the door slides up into the wall, rather than hinging outwards. H178.4cm x W113.4cm x D77cm, window H40.1cm x W73cm; £4,657; stovesonline.co.uk
6 For central heating
The Devon-based Yeoman’s 10kW model — the CL8HB — is more than just a stove. It is a boiler that will provide hot water and supply up to nine standard radiators. It can take wood, anthracite, smokeless fuel or even peat. H57.2cm x W56.3cm x D36.3cm; £2,035; yeomanstoves.co.uk
7 For replacing a gas fire
The Morso S81-90 slots neatly into a fireplace, finished with a choice of dark grey or brushed-steel trim options. With a 4kW output, an airwash system and an impressive 88% efficiency, it can burn wood, briquettes or approved smokeless fuel, and is Defra-exempt. H56.7cm x W48cm x D32cm; £1,116; morso.co.uk
8 For the wow factor
Advertisement
The Grappus is a sculptural 8kW stove with a built-in log store to counterbalance the firebox. The external air supply means it suits superinsulated, well-sealed modern homes. H200cm (or H137cm to top of firebox) x W96cm; £8,558; diligenceinternational.com
9 For a different angle
From Norway, where they know a thing or two about winter, comes the 6.2kW Nordpeis Quadro 1, with two glass sides for a wraparound view of the fire. It has airwash and clean-burn technology, and can be freestanding, with the flue at the top or back, or tucked into a corner as shown. H120.5cm xW54.5cm x D44cm; from £2,195; nordpeis.co.uk
10 For fireside treats
It’s a stove, it’s an oven — it’s a Stoven. Newman’s Mayfair SE has a mini oven, so you can whip up something to warm yourself inside as well as out. The Defra-approved 5kW stove has a patented air-induction system for easy lighting. H51.3cm x W45cm x D37.7cm; £1,008; firesandstoves.co.uk