US Small Kitchen Appliances in UK

I will shortly be moving to the UK and I have some terrific appliances I would like to take, such as:

- KitchenAid Food Mixer
- Cuisinart Food Processor (large one)

Also, a sewing machine - top of the line.

I understand they could work with a transformer but do I buy a step up or a step down transformer? Apparently, the best place to buy them is a company in Chicago.

Is it possible to get the motors changed or perhaps rewire them for UK voltage?

It would be a small fortune to replace these over there, so I am interested to hear what everyone else has done.

I did look into requesting a Kitchenaid mixer for our wedding registry but was blown away by the cost difference between the US and UK versions. I think the UK ones were around £400-£500! Then I researched bringing a US one to the UK and forums told me that a transformers wouldn't work. Unfortunately I can't give you any advice on changing the motor. It can be very frustrating when you invested in a nice machine and can't use it in your new country!

Yes it can work. Lots of people have done it with good transformers; there are pros and cons which I'll leave others to discuss since I didn't bring any appliances.

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My KitchenAid mixer works just fine on the step down converter.

The food processor needs a stronger transformer than the one I have, so I don't use it regularly.

I have used my US sewing machine with a transformer, bought in the UK, for the last 5 years. It runs fine and this was a much cheaper option than buying a 2nd machine.

Thank you very much. Originally I was going to leave the kitchen appliances in the USA - until I saw the price to replace them in the UK. Outrageous! So now I think I will take them. The only concern I have now is if there will be sufficient room in the smaller kitchens to put the transformer. I have never seen one but I understand they are quite big.

I think I would faint if I had to leave the sewing machine behind so I will take that, too.

The transformers do take up counter space, but it's not an excessive amount. Mine's maybe 8" x 6" or so. I have it tucked back behind the appliances and don't really notice it.

In reading through some of the other posts here just now, I read that a transformer converts voltage but not frequency (US being 60 hz and UK 50 hz). How does this affect our appliances when using them in the UK? Am I shortening their life?

I am most concerned about my top of the line Bernina sewing machine - and then my Kitchen Aid food processor and Cuisinart food processor.

Yes, you are shortening the life. Since my KA mixer cost me $20, I'm not that fussed about it -- but much also depends on how often you're using your appliance.

Look at the label on your sewing machine good chance that it says "50-60 HZ". Sewing machines are not a problem with a transformer. The only issues with a higher wattage appliance is making sure that you have a tranny that can handle the load.

I've used the large/ugly yellow transformers - typically used on an industrial site for tools -quite successfully. They are fairly cheap for a monster one - I think we paid about £65 for one that my husband uses with tools and I use for larger kitchen appliances. Just don't get one of those little baby transformers and expect it to work... It won't.

I contacted KitchenAid about my mixer before I left to see if there was an internal "switch" to work in the UK (some electronics have this), but it does not.

In the end I am letting my parents "borrow" it in case I ever move back to the US.  I now have a £5 hand mixer.  Booooo. Needless to say I don't bake much anymore.

As a quilter I understand not wanting to leave your Bernina!

Hi

As an option, you could purchase your Bernina here in the UK and if you do ever go back, sell it off on ebay etc?

http://www.bernina.co.uk/

I will shortly be moving to the UK and I have some terrific appliances I would like to take, such as:

- KitchenAid Food Mixer
- Cuisinart Food Processor (large one)

Also, a sewing machine - top of the line.

I understand they could work with a transformer but do I buy a step up or a step down transformer? Apparently, the best place to buy them is a company in Chicago.

Is it possible to get the motors changed or perhaps rewire them for UK voltage?

I will be bringing the above, as well as my Cuisinart Waffle maker and my LG washing machine [it will have it's own designated transformer].  I am curious where to buy one here in the US, as well as whether I can rewire the sewing machine [mine is old but amazing].

The waffle maker may be a problem; anything that heats up, rather than runs a motor (like the sewing machine) will be a heavy load, and likely the blow the transformer and ruin the waffle maker. Going back to my 1st experiences in the early 90s, I would say leave the waffle maker.

As for the sewing machine, just get a transformer....rewiring is basically a new motor, not worth the effort since a sewing machine runs quite well on a small transformer.