WhatStove?

Review of Contura 586 Style stove

586 is a very contemporary free-standing Swedish designed stove

7 years ago

I have had my Contura 586 now for 1 whole winter & feel now can write a full review on this stove. The 586 is a very contemporary free-standing Swedish designed stove with my model mounted on a pillar, you can also purchase the stove with a wood storage stand. It has a very large front window & side windows giving great views from any direction. It would give any room the ‘wow’ factor.

The 586 only has 2 handles, one being for the ash to fall into the ashtray below when opened & the second for the door. This handle works in 2 ways, 1 to open the door & 2 to put the door into the lighting position i.e. on the ‘ajar’ as it rests on a pin to leave the door slightly open. The stove only has one controller min to max.

To keep the ‘draw’ in my flue I leave the door in the opening position all the time, as I have a twin skin external flue with 4 bends. This I think adds to the problems I have lighting the fire. As this stove has a large firebox you really need to build a large kindling fire, Contura suggests around 1-2 KGS of wood. I build an upside down fire (log on the bottom & the kindling fire on top). Once I have the kindling fire going @ at around 100c- 120c I start to add the first logs & some more bits of kindling, keeping the door open until the fire is really going.

Keeping the glass clean is easy as long as from the start keep the fire is hot all the time. I clean the glass in the morning with water & once a week clean with HG stove cleaner, which makes the glass look new again. Once going the fire looks fantastic & easy to control, the heat output is great too (it helps if you buy a stove temp gauge!!!)

My only disappointment is some casting imperfections on the pillar & door. The colour match/batch are different between the side panels & door. The door seems to be 2mm lower on the right side. And I sometimes I wish the side windows were a little wider by 1-2 inches. Overall I’m very happy with this stove & if you thinking of buying a Contura stove wait until October/ish as they have winter discounts……..

Stove expert replied: If the door is not aligned correctly I would recommend that this is adjusted so that a correct seal is maintained. The flue having bends in can lead to a more sluggish draw but do take care that full control is maintained as overdrawing can lead to problems with distortion etc.

Overall rating:

4.5 flames

Build Quality 5 flames (avg 5)
Quality of finish 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Value for money 4 flames (avg 4.5)
Ease of use 5 flames (avg 5)
Ease of lighting 4 flames (avg 4)
Firebox size 5 flames (avg 4.5)
How well does the airwash work 5 flames (avg 5)
Controllability 5 flames (avg 4.5)
Handle operation 5 flames (avg 4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 5 flames (avg 5)
What is your overall satisfaction? 4 flames (avg 4.5)