Can an American washer and dryer be adapted to work in the UK?
May 11, 2007 by chanweber2005 | Posted in Cleaning & Laundry
My partner is in the military and we are going to be in the UK for three years, I want to know what American appliances can be adapted for use in the UK. We are mostly concerned with our washer, dryer, computer and stereo system.
American electronics/appliances business on 120V and U.K. uses 220V. Use can use the American ones if you get a transformer to convert to voltages.
I was over there in the Air Force. They will loan you transformers and/or appliances if you desperate straits them, but you may have to wait until one becomes available.
You may want to have your husband see if his sponsor can get you on the waiting list early.
Quartro Ninos | May 11, 2007
not unswerving... check the label on the product.... US uses 120volts with 60 hertz,,, uk uses 240 volts and 50 hertz,,,, but you will have to pay to despatch those items and the plug itself may be different
cas | May 11, 2007
Adapters can be reach-me-down for the smaller stuff.You can find good ones at Radio Shack.The dryer,if it is 220 volt it should not be a problem.You may have to make good on the plug configuration.The washer,being 110 volt and more amperage I would not take a chance w/ an adapter.Good fate
bustov1965 | May 11, 2007
don't characterize as so its all a different voltage
telboy | May 11, 2007
get a UK promote adaptor, i have an american ps3 and it workds fine with the plug adaptor. you can get them in all supermarkets here (UK).
pierre | May 11, 2007
I understand you can buy an adaptor for the stereo and computer, but the W&D are hardly worth the shipping costs.
LoLo | May 11, 2007
American electronics/appliances toil on 120V and U.K. uses 220V. Use can use the American ones if you get a transformer to convert to voltages.
I was over there in the Air Force. They will loan you transformers and/or appliances if you shortage them, but you may have to wait until one becomes available.
You may want to have your husband see if his sponsor can get you on the waiting list early.
Quartro Ninos | May 11, 2007
America uses 110 volt electrical supplies. Where the UK uses 220 volt. Do not melancholy, many electrical items come with a change over switch or are dual voltage these days.
There should be a manufacturers cut on the machine if it can be used on both supplies it will have something along the lines of -
Volts / voltage - 110v/220v
If not and only states a distinct voltage supply then it won't be of use in the UK. To do so would mean an electrical burn out of the equipment.
Best to get a professional to have a look for you to be unshakable.
Anchor Cranker | May 11, 2007
It should be doable, we do business on a different national voltage system to the USA though so it may be best to check with the manufacturers and a skilled electrician either side of the pond before you go to the expense of telling all your stuff. I once blew up my Wife's hairdryer from the UK at our friends house in New Jersey, it had a switch to convert the voltage from UK to USA needs, and back, and I forgot! Ooops!!
A cheaper alternative maybe putting your US goods in storage and hiring what you deprivation in the UK, I know it is possible to hire washing machines, TV's, stereo's etc at very reasonable rates. You get the latest models, no mending fees and income it all when you leave, no hassle of moving stuff! Check sites like Currys / Comet and Dixons in the UK for rental deals.
bumbleboi | May 11, 2007
Washer and drier possibly ok if they are 230V provided they don't have synchronous motors. In all probability they won't be happy with 50Hz power because the commutator will be cut differently. More safely a improved to buy a local washer drier as the life span of white goods tends to be only five years anyway. Computer will required a new power string and the power supply voltage switch shifted from 115V to 230V. The PC monitor will probably be ok without modification other than a new power twine but check the label on the back, 90V-230V is normal these days. Stereo, again a tricky one. If the deck or cassette have synchronous motors working off of 115V then it ain't gonna line. Had this problem with a 4 track stereo, a transformer worked for the amplifier but the motor was 115V 60Hz sync and wouldn't about b dally with 50Hz.
Del Piero 10 | May 11, 2007
If you're affluent to residents of the UK for as long
as three years, then I think your washer and drier
unit would be a waste of time, simoleons and effort.
The only item that's you should consider for adapt-
ing is your PC and stereo system--both of which
should be relatively easy.
But, as long as your washer and drier part is fairly
good condition, you might as well sell them.
(It's going to one heck of hassle lugging that over
there. And if you hawk it, it will help to buy a pair of
their machines; once you're settled, you'll be able
to just plug them in a three of wall sockets.)
Pete K | May 11, 2007
Not a very well-disposed idea. Europe uses different outlets than we here, plus the amount of electricity going through the outlet is opposite. We can leave things plugged in here, say your hairdryer when you are not using it, but over there (and trust me, I did it!) if you leave it plugged it in, it remains 'hot' (still on) and could prize on fire (yes , this is what happened to me :) ) Also it is too costly to take those things with you. Better to sell them , and get new ones there.
forensicpsych72 | May 11, 2007
I am an American in the UK. We borrowed an english dryer from the root to use in our house. The english dryers are almost useless though. I have had 4 different ones and they all take over an hour to dry a load of laundry. They also aren't as big as American dryers so you have to do more loads of laundry. I fancy that the wall plugs are 3 amps while American dryers require 5 amps...or visa versa. Either way, you would need to apply for permission from your landlord to pay for and change the plug and corresponding electrical wiring in the wall. I have also heard that you would desideratum to cut off the plug from the American dryer and reattach a different one and then use a transformer on top of that.
The military will not ship your washer and dryer to the UK but the installations have American and UK dryers that you can mooch. If I had known that laundry would be triple the work and electricity when I first moved here, I may have opted to live on base a substitute alternatively. Our electric bill is over $300 a month and that is due in large part to the fact that we use miserable english dryers. All the rain tends to creel the ability to hang the clothes out on a line too. I believe most Brits have lines inside their homes. I have yet to see any dryers in any of the British homes that I have been in.
chekcam | May 12, 2007
My quash was also in the military. He is out now. All you have to do is wait till you get to where your going and see what type of plug it is. Then all you do is go down to a hard ware store and buy a new beat the drum for for it. My husband had to change out the plug for ours. Its easy.
Rochelle N | May 12, 2007
You can get an electrician to mutate the plugs but you'd probably be better off getting ones over there. Sell your US stuff on eBay and then get UK stuff in England.
laluna | May 13, 2007
Can I use an American dryer in the middle east?
Oct 21, 2007 by Jack Sparrow | Posted in Other - Electronics
It's 240 v 60 hertz but in the midriff east they use 50 hertz. Would it be able to work?
I see no point why not. Check out with the company who manufactured the dryer.
Caring girl. | Oct 21, 2007
Can I use my American hair dryer, straightener, and/or curler in the UK if I have a power converter?
Jan 06, 2009 by Quill | Posted in Packing & Preparation
I catch some appliances will explode even if I have an adaptor/converter! I leave in 5 days so I need to know what won't employment if I bring it.
You should not have any problems using a power converter and publicize adaptor for your trip. As mentioned in a previous answer you may be able to get by with a plug adaptor only if your items are certified for dual voltage use. If you are not positive however then bring the converter.
It is unlikely that any of your products would "explode" although if you did not use a converter and they are not dual voltage you could fritter away out the motor. Any problems generally have been caused by people assuming that their adaptor is a converter.
Jeff H | Jan 07, 2009
Houston ChronicleNewborn Found Breathing In DryerMSNBCThe baby was taken to Texas Children's Hospital. Doctors said the baby is alert and recovering. The infant was about an hour old when found. The baby was described as African-American, 20 inches long and 6 pounds, 12 ounces.Child found in abandoned dryer in Houston Newborn baby found in abandoned dryer in Galleria area Family has chance to contradict for abandoned newborn
Hair 
revelations of the day: 1)american radio is so far behind 2)i love my 
Sitting under the dryer watching "Secret Life of the American Teenager"
Time pick up dry clothes at the laundromat. <irony> What happened to the American Dream, that I don't have my own washer & dryer? </irony>
25 cents for only 7 minutes!??!!? fuck you American Dryer Corp. this is a scam.