question about adapter/converters...

I hope this hasn't been asked before - I couldn't find anything....

Has anyone used US small kitchen appliances (e.g. a kitchenaid mixer) with an adapter/converter, in the UK/Europe? (Or elsewhere?) Do they make adapter/converters 'big' enough to handle the wattage? Any thoughts? (My sister wants to get us one for our wedding present and they're SO expensive in the UK, so we're considering the option of buying in the US and bringing it over and using ad/con.)

(I seem to remember someone mentioning that casuallyin another post here a while back, but wondered if anyone else did?)

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=26350.0

In general, small kitchen appliances such as mixers, blenders, and so on use a type of motor which can be run on the British 50Hz supplies via a 240-to-120V transformer with no problems. 

You just need to make sure you have a transformer which is hefty enough for the intended use, and avoid the "bargain basement" converters which are not really simple transformers at all -- they'll cause you more trouble than they're worth.


http://www.newmarket-transformers.co.uk/autos.asp

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Transformer_Index/USA_110volt_Convertor_Transformer/index.html

oops! thanks!

Thanks Paul! We were wondering if buying a good enough adapt/converter would solve the problems some people seem to have. (B/c some people seem to have no problems whatsoever...)

Cheers!

We use our US food processor with a transformer. One year on and still no problems. 

I do have a big refrigator/TV/washing machine working with 2000 watt transforma.
Ask your sister to send you very large trasnforma with 2000-3000 watt.They are very sheap in USA.
kal

So is it worth to bring the US items over? We are coming over in 2008 and have a house full of things that we would love to bring as they are paid for, so we do not have to spend the money we make off our house to buy them. Instead use this money for a house. We were planning on having a house sale and sell all the electronics as we thought we could not use them. But if these adapters/transformers work we may find it to be better to bring the items with us. We will already need to ship over our beds, dressers, and other items so we will already need a container.

Just bring with you a lot of of very large trasforma (2000 Watt ) ... you have to pay about 120 pounds for one here.
the house are little smal here in UK, but you can find a big house if you like too.

With TV ..you can get hotbird and astra for free .. for me , I just neet Nilestat and hotbird..
I really dont care for local/Sky programs

kal

I looked up the 2000 watt ones and they run about $80.00, I am looking at the right ones. I had thought they would be more expensive.

I went to visit the mixer today in the shops, as I'm feeling much more optimistic about importing them. I can see us now, coming in, one of my checked pieces a KA mixer wedding present, and my DH with a lovely massive adapter/converter!