American fridge - can we use it in UK

Hi everybody. Just moving to UK from USA and we are debating about our new fridge. We might wanna take it there, since it is bigger then the European ones and if I want to buy it there, it is expensive.
I know about 120/240 volts, but still, I have to make a decision about it.
If it can be used with an adapter, I'd like to have it there.
Thanks for your help.

Ann

We are using this frige with 2000 Watt transfomat cost around £80.
We were not able to put in Small Kitchen  , now it is sitting/working from the garage.

Try to buy many transfomats as you can from USA with 3000-2000 watts, they are cheap there.


 

Thank you, I'll try to find some and buy some.

Hi there,

I just wanted to point out that bringing a fridge over from the US is of course possible and entirely your choice - but have you considered the long term aspects? check if the manufacturer's warranty covers it if the unit is taken out of the country. Also, moving fridges isn't as easy as it sounds and a very very common cause of failure either eventual or instant is after moving it incorrectly.

If you do decide on bringing it, then

1. Ensure it's transported in an upright position
2. if it cant be transported upright, then you'll need to support the fridge coils/elements using some sponge or rubber
3. Be prepared for spills and/or leakage of refidgerant

Overall, I'd say it isn't worth bringing a US fridge over via a shipping company like this. With the amount of jostling around it's going to get more than likely it's not going to work here at peak efficiency and I'll stick my neck out here slightly in saying it'll probably pack up after a relatively short while. so adding the cost of the transport (its going to be HEAVVVVVY and so expensivvvve) the cost of the transformers, plus the increased likelihood of premature failure and the probably non international warranty - I'd say you spend £600 when you get here and buy a decent quality if lower end American fridge here.

Sell your fridge there to help go towards the price of a fridge here..

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I agree. Yes, it's more to buy something similar here but IMO, bringing your own is a tad insane. You also MUST make sure that you have the correct kind of transformer. It's likely not something you can just pick up at RadioShak.

Also, do you have a house sorted out yet? If not, how do you know if it will fit?

I agree - wait 'til you get here and see what space you have to work with.  Even then, most American Style Fridge Freezers don't fit though most doorways.  You'll need to measure the doorway of the house you're living in, otherwise you'll be doing like Myoracle & having to keep it in your garage which definitely isn't going to last very long as they need to be kept at a certain temperature to run efficiently...

Transformers change the voltage, but not the supply frequency (60Hz in America, 50Hz in Britain).   For smaller motors which are used relatively infrequently, such as those found in food mixers, blenders, etc., it's seldom a problem, but the frequency difference becomes much more significant with larger motors. 

Expect reduced efficiency and a motor which gets warmer than usual if you run a 60Hz fridge compressor on 50Hz.  Bearing in mind the continuous (albeit cyclic) operation of a fridge, this is one application where I really wouldn't recommend it without more detailed information about the motor.

Thanks for your answers, I think I am going to sell mine here for whatever price I can and count that money as a base to buy a new one there.
Ann