Hi everyone

​​C​ould I ask how well UK appliances work if you use adapters?
We are moving to Isla Canela & it would be useful to know whether we need to replace electrical appliances immediately or if we can run UK ones until they need replacing

Thanks in advance
Christine

They will all work just fine. However, my advice is to change plugs rather than use adapters.

The other issue to note is that certain appliances (kettle, hairdryer, vacuum etc.) are lower powered than in UK. This is primarily due to how electricity is supplied and charged for here.

Many thanks, I’ll get my toolkit ready 🤣

​​​​​​I have not had any problems with items we brought over with us some I use adapters some I changed the plug. One thing I do find here is kettles don't seem to last long whether brought over or bought in Spain. It may be us but I have gone through a lot of kettles. Two luckily packed up just before guarantee ran out and were replaced free no problem. Wife says same re hairdryers they don't seem to last long as in UK. Strange but only thing i notice that's any different

I’m an old fashioned gal and use a whistling kettle so ok on that front. Thanks for the info 👍🏻

You need to check what the customs situation will be for the importation and what paperwork you will need especially if you are self moving

Sensible 😂

When we refurbed our kitchen my wife wanted a double oven (free standing). As there were none available here we imported one from the UK. It worked fine but the current draw was painfully large to the extent we had to increase the supply contract potencia. In the end it had to go.

Other appliances worked ok, preferably change the plug rather than using adapters.

Adapters are intended for temporary use during travel (that's why they are principally found on sale at airports etc.!) they are not made to be used long term and especially NOT with equipment drawing significant power. Many do not even carry through the earth so pose a very real risk of shock or electrocution.

If you had a fire caused by inappropriate use of an adapter your insurer would instantly refute a claim.

Am I trying to scare you, damn right. It's nothing short of crazy to even think of using adapters and
forget those who profess to have been using them for years, ignorance is bliss.

Fit proper Spanish plugs and if you can't do it yourself employ someone to do it for you, it will be an hour of somebody's time extremely well spent.

Definitely strange - our kettle from Amazon.es now 12 years old and my wife's hairdryer ( ex-UK ) did about 15 years before it died a peaceful death a couple of months ago.

Strange it is makes no sense to me but I think in time we have been here 10 years part time and 5 years full time I think we have gone through about 5 kettles and I think 4 hair dryers. Some of them were very good brands some just bought local as they just don't seem to last. Defies logic to me.

Sound advice

It's long been a source of total bafflement to me why some people imagine that the simple act of replacing a plug on an appliance amounts to some sort of mega technical challenge!

Not everyone can happily change a plug and not everyone has ready access to someone who can do it for them, however I completely subscribe to your advice about not using adaptors (other than very low voltage adaptors that simply have the UK pins on that cant be changed)

Thank you all for your comments & advice. I will go down the buy new route, better safe than sorry 👍🏻