The ongoing saga with Swift 500 Series Caravan Gas Cookers is challenging the patience of many grey nomads … and forcing them to come up with some innovative cooking solutions.
The Swift Appliance Group has just issued another update which has good news … and bad news.
While confirming that 500 Series Caravan Gas Cookers manufactured and supplied after June 1, 2020, are safe for ordinary use without restriction, the company says 500 Series Caravan Gas Cookers manufactured and supplied between January 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, must not be used while it gathers more information.
And it stresses that 500 Series Caravan Gas Cookers manufactured and supplied before January 1, 2019, ‘must not be used except for the electrical elements while Swift gathers more information’.
Tim and Heather Halls had to adapt to a new cooking reality. PIC: Tim Halls
Many travellers then are facing another spell – of unknown duration – having to ‘make do’.
Some report that they have had to abandon plans to free camp in order to take advantage of the kitchen facilities on offer in caravan parks, while others say they are having to rely on non-Swift-reliant travelling companions to cook meals for them.
Before Tim and Heather Halls had to abandon their trip due to a medical emergency, they said they initially struggled without a gas hotplate.
“We adapted to using the gas bottle hotplate we carry for summer use outside the van,” said Tim. “In winter that is not always ideal with the rain and wind but, nonetheless, that was our workaround.”
John Horton has been travelling Australia for the past six years and is currently camped in a van park in Mareeba, Queensland. “I invested in an air fryer and, along with the microwave, all cooking duties are covered,” he said. “It has had one good effect on my travel plans… I don’t need to buy gas!”
And as for the cooker he can’t currently use.
“It will be in the bin next week,” said John.
I even looked into replacing my Swift 500 Series, but everything available is sold out. I am not happy it is taking so long, & I’m guessing once it is sorted out it will take forever to fix, and much out of pocket travelling to get the repairs done.
This problem has stopped us leaving home. The other problem was web site stated Jan 2019 to Jun 2020 only affected. Then a statement a couple of weeks later stated Do Not Use cookers manufactured before Jan 2019. Conflicting statements just makes matters worse. Just how long will this take to fix and then we will all have to book into an agent for a fix. How long will that take. Thousands affected. ???
We do 95% of our cooking outside under our awning on a twin gas ring stove with powerful burners.
We only use the Swift 500 to boil the kettle for a coffee first thing in the morning.