Taking my coffee maker - bad idea?

I have a few electronics that I feel a particular attachment too - particularly a very expensive (but small) espresso machine and a Kitchenaid food processor. Would it be insane to bring them with me and use a converter? Or will it most likely short the fuse the moment I try to use them? Just curious - because if they will short - I may try selling them before I leave, but I'd rather not.

Thanks!

Your converter would have to be of the large and unattractive kind, and you may do damage to your coffee maker if used regularly. I'd sell/park with a friend or relative and buy new in the UK.

The KitchenAid food processor is capable of blowing up the largest and most unattractive capacity of power converter. Ask me how I know. 

Yes, they're expensive here, but if you like it? Park it in the US and get another one here.

It's not always possible to find the same or even comparable brands here.  Agreed, you don't want to blow anything up but do some research first to see if you can find something similar.  I have not been able to find anything similar to the small size Mr. Coffee I had 

You might need to go to a coffee press. It's the most economical choice for someone like me who hates that horrible instant stuff that is strangely popular in the UK.

I've never had my own expensive home espresso maker, but I did work in a coffeeshop for three years and I do appreciate a good shot of espresso (or two).

I'm not sure you're looking for suggestions, but I do just fine with a Moka - an Italian-style stovetop espresso maker.

I bought mine on Amazon (a four-cup... I had a two-cup that I bought in Italy but now DH likes a bit once in a while even though he never drinks coffee) and the grounds are easy to get at normal shops here. There's nothing to plug in - it just sits on the burner. It's easy to clean up (no soap needed so the oils condition the aluminium to avoid any metallic taste) and makes good coffee. If it's too strong for guests, I dilute it with some water or milk for them.

Of course, you can get proper home espresso makers here if that's what you want to stick with.

I have not been able to find anything similar to the small size Mr. Coffee I had 

I saw this the other day and thought it seemed very similar to the old-skool very basic Mr Coffee machines I used in the US... for £14.99, even if it's crap, at least you've not wasted a lot of dosh.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9098312.htm

I'm thinking of getting it for making iced coffees instead of blowing £3 a time buying them every day.

I saw this the other day and thought it seemed very similar to the old-skool very basic Mr Coffee machines I used in the US... for £14.99, even if it's crap, at least you've not wasted a lot of dosh.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9098312.htm

I'm thinking of getting it for making iced coffees instead of blowing £3 a time buying them every day.

That's not bad but I was wanting something around 4-cup size (nobody but me drinks coffee at breakfast)  I did end up getting a 1-cup filter coffee maker from Lakeland (they don't seem to show it anymore) which was about the same price.  But it's very fiddly: you have to pour water in through a funnel, load coffee into the filter and it slowly runs through into your cup.  But there's no way of keeping it warm so I end up pre-warming my cup from the kettle 

Not too much cheap BD, but

Here's a

One cup one

Two cup one

and a

5 cup one

You could always get a bigger sized one and just make 1/2 a pot? I do that often (well before our coffee machine broke last week)

I saw this the other day and thought it seemed very similar to the old-skool very basic Mr Coffee machines I used in the US... for £14.99, even if it's crap, at least you've not wasted a lot of dosh.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9098312.htm [nofollow]

This is actually a pretty good deal for a drip coffee maker. My Fiancee and I may buy this when I move, and then ask for a nice espresso maker with a UK plug for a wedding gift.

Thanks for everyone's help!!!

I have been missing some of my US kitchen appliances like my Kitchenaid mixer and crock-pot.  Fortunately, there is store down the street from us that sells all sorts of Kitchenaid products called Potters.  Best part is that the prices aren't any more expensive than I would pay in the US!  Maybe check online to see if you can order one?

I love my Mr. Coffee and, rather than settle with the instant coffee when I moved to the UK, I just bought a basic coffee maker from John Lewis.  It cost £19.99 and it works exactly like my coffee maker in the states.  It's capable of making several cups of coffee at a time, as well.  The only thing I brought with me was my American scoop as the one that came in my Waitrose coffee bag (only brand that tasted remotely like Folgers) was much too small to satisfy me.

Not too much cheap BD, but

Here's a

One cup one

Two cup one

and a

5 cup one

You could always get a bigger sized one and just make 1/2 a pot? I do that often (well before our coffee machine broke last week)

Oooh, I used to have a 2-cup one a bit like that here.  It came with 2 smallish cups but you could stick in your own ordinary mug instead.  Might go for that if/when the Lakeland one bites the dust.