julymermaid

Hi


We are relocating to Thousand Oaks, California in September this year. I'm trying to work up a list of electronics to sell in UK as I understand that most UK electronics don't work in USA?

Particularly I'm interested in Vitamix. We've only recently bought it and it will be a shame to have to get rid of it. The Vitamix plug fuse says 13 Amperes.

Any advice on electronics that may work there will be much appreciated.

Many Thanks !

quiltman

It's not the fuse size that matters, it's the voltage. Most US appliances are 110v 60Hz but you can get 220v in the house if you pay to have special sockets installed. Now, most electronics - laptops, phones etc have a universal charger - 110-240V 50/60Hz and except for a plug adaptor these will work fine. Check the rating plate on your Vitamix and if it says 220V50Hz then sadly it is not going to be that easy to get it to work. You could buy a step up transformer to change the 110v to 220v but at 60Hz it'll run a bit faster! Depends on the cost of the transformer against what you can get selling your UK vitamix and buying a new one in the US.Use the search function above to look for "UK appliances in USA" , or similar. There have been plenty of threads on this subject - for most countries in the world!

julymermaid

Thanks ever so much. We'll be renting for a few years initially so its unlikely we'll get the sockets changed. (Off to check the rating plates for all electronic goods!) . Can't imagine the Vitamix going any faster than it already does!

Beaverstate

No, vitamin requirements in the US are far different. 😉

scrubbedexpat097

And in California they are complex and not optional

H Bomb

Pretty much all devices with a motor will not be universal - so I think you will find your UK Vitamix will not work over here.

As mentioned you can get a voltage step down adaptor - but with the high wattage of a blender that will be expensive. In addition the difference in the 50/60hz will mean that chances are your blender isn't going to last very long before it breaks.

When we moved here we brought anything that was dual voltage (luckily the new TV we brought was dual). Nothing kitchen related was dual voltage (general rule of thumb seemed to be if it has a moving part it isn't going to work here).

We didn't know how long we were going to stay here. So we sold/gave away all cheap electronics and stored the more expensive stuff til we knew how long we would stay.

sir_eccles

In simple terms:

Things with motors or heating elements generally won't work well if at all.

Things with little transformers like laptops, computers will be ok with either a plug adapter or new transformer. Often the transformer will say "110/220 v".

julymermaid

Thanks very much. Its just added expense we were hoping to avoid .

julymermaid

Many Thanks. What about things like televisions and bluetooth speakers? Sorry if this is a daft question.

sir_eccles

Look for a label on the back somewhere it will tell you the voltage it works with. Unless someone else is paying to ship the big items, it probably isn't worth it. TVs are pretty cheap now.

Bob

Most of the small crap will work. TV won't be worth the shipping unless it's brand new or someone else is paying for it.

Want to avoid using transformers, especially on anything that is used regularly, if not for the fire hazard, for it voiding any liability/renter/owners insurance.

cautiousjon

Exactly. When I moved from the UK to the USA, I left behind all my kitchen electronics (including a fairly expensive blender).

Thankfully, Vitamix machines in the USA seem to be pretty cheap (Vitamix is a US brand), and their warranty is really good. You can get a 5300 Vitamix from Costco for $349.99 when they have special offers, which is about £241.66. An equivalent full priced Vitamix in the UK can cost £450+.

Bob

How many veg/smoothies do you drink to make that worth it?

sir_eccles

Fellow Vitamix owner here. They're really really good. They get whatever you are blending absolutely super smooth. Built to last too.

md95065

Just sell it or give it away and buy yourself a real blender when you get here ...

Will it blend?