Some of the newer “clean burn” inserts and wood stoves work pretty well, actually. More heat, better burn. I couldn’t care less about emissions, but if they’re better then so be it, keep the b-tards off my back. I keep waiting for them to use those ceramic thermo-electric generators on the backside of the firebox to run blower fans. Not aware of any on the market yet, but it’s coming. They just hate it when “green” works for off grid independence, it’s meant to ensnare, not liberate, lol.
Well, I have to partially take that back, apparently there now are thermo-electric “Peltier Effect” blower fans for wood stoves on the market. Ecofan Airmax seems to be the most prominent, after a quick web search.
I can get a decent burn with the fresh air input at the top lighting up the smoke. I can overdo it and waste heat. I can also smolder some wood and have smoke pouring out of my chimney. But I would rather burn as efficiently as possible. If that helps reduce particulates, that’s great but like you, I don’t care.