KitchedAid Mixer - Please Help!

Hello,

I have been looking for a KitchenAid mixer for some time and I live in the UK.

I bid for on on eBay (check this link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180573812517 [nofollow] ). It seems like the perfect mixer for me at a really good price with postage at a good price too.

However, recently I have read about some mixers not working in the UK? I have asked the seller where the product was made but do I need to ask anything else?

I really want to use it here. I did ask some questions to the seller before to which they said:

Hello,
There is only one way I offer to ship Internationally and that is priority mail. The reason being that is the only way I can purchase insurance which is a must. I am not sure what it was used for as I am a reseller, just to be safe I said it may have been used a few times-but rest assure, it looks like brand new and everything works perfectly. There are no defects. You will need a standard 3 prong plug I believe (I am not in my office right now) but I believe it has the two straight plugs and the rounded ground plug. I will double check and if it is different I will email you back. I am sure a adapter must be available if necessary.

I read about different voltages in the UK and US, but will the above work here? You can check the model etc. on the eBay listing (scroll down since it has now ended). I really do want to buy this. I have read people using their US mixers in the UK fine. I would be so glad if I could get this.

Thank you.

People have used US KitchenAids over here, but I'm not sure what's needed in terms of adapters and transformers. I'm sure someone will have some advice for you.

(I gave mine away when I left the US and just bought a British one here, which was the simplest solution for me.)

I see this model on Amazon as well and reveiewd by people in the UK [nofollow]

People have used US KitchenAids over here, but I'm not sure what's needed in terms of adapters and transformers. I'm sure someone will have some advice for you.

(I gave mine away when I left the US and just bought a British one here, which was the simplest solution for me.)

Thank you for your reply.

The ones from the UK cost over £320 and I haven't found any cheaper. I do not mind purchasing a refurbished one. However I do not know where I can buy one from.

Hmmm, I'm not sure where you're looking and don't know if you have a particular style in mind, but I'm sure I've seen KitchenAids here for closer to 270-280.  Still a lot, but slightly less than your figure .  I think it was at a department store...

I don't mind which but I can't afford that much, it is too high.

I am looking at the under £180 range but that doesn't exist much in the UK.

According to your budget this probably isn't helpful , but John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhems all list Kitchenaid mixers at £389.  Finding a new one for £180 in the UK seems optimistic.  I am certainly no expert on this, but what you have to be careful with buying US appliances to use in the UK is the voltage.  US appliances are 110V, I think and UK are 220V.  Even with a converter you will risk the appliance not running correctly, overheating, etc.

I've looked back at some old threads because I was sure some people over the years have used their US KitchenAids here. They all seem to recommend buying a really good solid transformer or converter or whatever it's called, which will set you back about £70-80.

So if you add that cost to the cost of the eBay item you found and add in postage, you're looking at about £200.

I've found new KitchenAids online for under £250 ... so if it were me, I think I'd rather invest in one without any electrical complications. To me it would be worth the extra money, especially since it isn't that much more.

I've found new KitchenAids online for under £250 ... so if it were me, I think I'd rather invest in one without any electrical complications. To me it would be worth the extra money, especially since it isn't that much more.

Reading the fine print which states that using the product with voltage in excees of 110V-120V could result in fire, this appears to be a US website which happens to ship to the UK.

gretel's right -- Overstock is a US website that ships to the UK.  When we first got here, I thought it was like Amazon, that they have a US and UK division, but it turns out that it is not the case for Overstock.  

That said, I am with chary on the overall thought of spending a bit more to not hassle with electronics.  One of my friends is a champion baker and brought her KitchenAid and invested in a very good transformer and had success.  But a big transformer will be pricey and potentially risky -- so may as well add that amount to the total price and buy something here.  

I got my UK KitchenAid on Amazon.co.uk -- it's the exact one posted earlier in the thread.  I just checked the model number:  KitchenAid K45SS Classic Stand Mixer.  It's not as large or quite as powerful as mine back in the US, but I haven't run into ANY problems in 2 years.

I know Kitchenaid mixers are gorgeous, I have a beautiful Almond one myself, but if you want a mixer, why not look at the Kenwood Chef, its British made and you might be able to find a good second hand one on Ebay here in the UK. Its just a thought!

Reading the fine print which states that using the product with voltage in excees of 110V-120V could result in fire, this appears to be a US website which happens to ship to the UK.

Ooops! I didn't read the fine print. 

I'm one of the ones who used a US KitchenAid with a transformer and had no problems at all. I used a British company who specialized in them. I didn't just get one from a high street electrical goods store. I had no problems at all and I then sold my KitchenAid to another UKY member and as far as I am aware, she's had no problems either.

I see this model on Amazon as well and reveiewd by people in the UK

I have this one.  Suits my needs perfectly.

If it is in American voltage, you'll need a step transformer to have it operate properly over here. The problem is that the motor won't end up spinning at the proper speed (it will be slightly off), and the motor will suffer a premature death.