US Spec Washer / Dryer

After living in Paris and dealing with a washer / dryer combo unit that holds exactly four pairs of socks before being overloaded, we are excited by the prospect of being able to **MAYBE** have a US sized washer and dryer....but:

Should we bring our Maytag units from storage in the USA?

Can it / they be adapted to UK electrical requirements?  

We have no idea what type of home we are going to be getting yet, as we have just started looking but we are focused on the area South of London (Southwest / South East - outside the M25 - North of Gatwick but south of London).

If we don't get a place that can accomodate them, is there a market for American full sized appliances, such as these in London?

We are concerned that we will be disappointed if we don't bring everything we possibly can, while we have the chance (ocean going container).

Anyone?

.... Should we bring our Maytag units from storage in the USA?

Probably a bad idea

Can it / they be adapted to UK electrical requirements?

They should run OK off a suitable power transformer, though the motors might run slow as UK electricity is 50Hz, (as opposed to 60Hz in the US).  Even if the motors could be replaced with 50Hz/ 220V motors, you would probably find that it would cost more than the machines cost you to buy in the first place.

If we don't get a place that can accomodate them, is there a market for American full sized appliances, such as these in London?

You can safely assume that there is no market for your appliances in London, ... because they are larger than British appliances and can't be plugged directly into a standard British electrical supply.

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I think that you will find that appliances in Britain are the same size as those in France (and Germany, Italy etc.), much smaller than US ones, unless you buy commercial machines.

You will most likely find that if you bring your Maytag appliances the only place for them is in the garage as most British homes don't have a laundry/ utility room, nor a basement, and so laundry appliances are often kept in the kitchen.

I agree w/ Richard.  Our house in Ripley has got a separate mudroom area with room for a washer and dryer (stacked), but I don't think the space is big enough for a full-size US set.  Plus, the power differences would be enough to drive you crazy.  My friend in London brought most of her electrical appliances with them.  Within the first week she blew up the vacuum and her husband blew up their PC, and their digital clock was running several hours ahead.  They've since bought new UK appliances.  We sold or put into storage all our electrical appliances, with just a few exceptions.  There is always a market for used electrical stuff, so when/if we leave we'll just have a huge sale!

Stephanie

Thanks to all for the helpful comments.


Up for sale it goes.

You can buy American style top loading washers for the UK, they carry Maytag or Whirpool(?) at the Electric Shop, and GE at DVD Overseas, the links are on the shopping page. (Overseas Appliances link there is now dead.) I happened to be working on the new appliances page today.

http://www.uk-yankee.com/shopping.html