Kristinesonja

Will my dryer work or do I need a electrical converter?

This question is for a visit to UK.

Thank you

sandi_travelnut

You gave us nothing to go on, like what type of hairdryer you had but, here's the answer:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35003244

ash318

on the plug of your hairdrier, if it says 110 ~220 then, no you dont need one, but if it doesnt, then yes you do.

These days, the newer electronics like camera chargers, phone chargers, hairdriers, all work quite well.

You will need to get a plug that converts into the UK plug points, ieven if you dont need an electrical converter. This is avai at luggage stores... they are usually 3 pin plugs for UK.

MECindylou

Sandi_travelnut - why do you feel it necessary to make a comment like "You gave us nothing to go on"?

How about just giving this poster the information and not chastising her? Or if you need more information, ask for it in a nicer way? I don't want to be mean to you, and perhaps you don't mean it the way I took it, but I feel it may be discouraging to someone to get a response like yours.

Kristinesonja

I'm sorry for being vague. My 1st trip there 30yrs ago I know I took a converter. My last visit in 1999, I don't remember taking one.

A friend is going next week and called to ask me if she needed one.
Being a huge fan of this forum, I volunteered to look into it knowing someone here would know the answer to the question.

I didn't ask her what hair dryer she had but knew I'd find great info here. I guess I have to ask her.

Michel_Paris

what I did was go to Walmart and bought "the kit" It includes a transformer as well as a selection of the plug converters. Small enough, bring the whole thing with you (for example, what about charging camera batteries?)

Padraig

MECindylou, your post was solely a reprimand of sandi_travelnut, while sandi actually attempted to provide information. Further, it appears that the OP wasn't offended, and accepts that it might be useful to give more information.

I think this forum would be better without the sort of policing you offer.

[I find it interesting that there appears to be a shared assumption, in a multi-national forum, that the OP is in America.]

ira

Hi K,

Unless your dryer says 110-220V, NO.

My Lady Wife is very happy with her Conair Ionic Cord Keeper 110-220V dryer.

It has a switch to go from 110 to 220V.

All you will need is a plug adapter for the UK.

logos999

But what if it says 110V - 240V
I've got a voltage of 230 Volts at 50 Hertz here in Munich..., and I know that in London some people even have 240 Volts .

So many questions.. ;-)

bob_brown

If you are staying in only one hotel, it may well have omni plugs that convert not only voltages but also will accomodate American style plugs.

I carry with me on my trips a converter kit hat has a transformer to adjust the voltage and a plug adapter to accomodate my US plugs for the UK and also for the continent.

My wife's hair dryer runs off of it quite nicely. We just make sure the transformer wattage setting is on 1,500.

BTilke

If you and your friends/neighbors/etc. are planning European trips for the next few years, you might all benefit by buying a cheap hair dryer in Europe and sharing it around for trips.
I bought a hair dryer in Paris in the 1990s for $10 (a Babyliss compact model) and it's still going strong. (We have a dryer for the UK and another for continental Europe). Not all travel hair dryers work well on their highest setting and our friends who've bought them say they tend to have a short lifespan.
Note: When I take my French hair dryer to Switzerland, I find that hotels usually have several plug adapters on hand to loan to guests.

janisj

the majority of hotels have hairdryers - and since they'd have UK specs they will work better than a dual voltage one you bring from home.

Dual voltage hairdryers do work - w/ a plug adaptor. But they will not work at the highest temps/speeds. So they tend to be pretty wimpy. Plus - even a dual voltage one will sometimes blow the fuses/circuit breakers.

So first - I would contact your hotel/apartment(s) and find out if they provide hair dryers. That would solve everything.

If not, and IF you have thick or long hair and need a powerful hairdryer - then wait and buy an inexpensive one in the UK -- it will work much better.

bring one form home would be my last choice.

LoveItaly

Hello Kristinesonja, I have never been to the UK but in Italy I just bought a hairdryer there which worked for all of my trips. Consequently there was no problem and my personal opinion is that is the best way to go. Now if I had just remembered to bring it home with me the last time I left Italy, sigh.

daveesl

If your appliance says 110-240, then it will work with the proper adapter. If not, Wally World sells a good, cheap dual voltage dryer for about $15, but you still need the plug adapter.

dave

logos999

Ma BaByliss dryer is dual voltage too. It says 230V-240V, has a german "Formstecker" (ungrounded Schuko) and will only work in "Schuko-Country".

They do sell nice cheapo hairdryers in the UK, including the FUSE!!! that is needed for safe operation. Britain is different from Europe (who would have guessed)

Just spend those 10 pounds and be happy. Converters and dual voltage are bad ideas.

janisj

"If your appliance says 110-240, then it will work with the proper adapter. " - Yes, it will "work" but not as well as a 240-only model.

But again - I'd first check w/ my accommodations before schlepping a hair dryer to Europe.

swisshiker

ira, could you please ask your wife the length of the cord? I have been considering this dryer, but I have read that the cord is short which makes it difficult to reach everywhere. Thanks.

shelly_m

All this talk of blowdryer problems makes me wish I had wash-and-wear hair! Sadly, I am wrestling with this question, as well.

Regarding camera battery chargers, am I correct in assuming that if the charger says "100v-240v, AC 50/60 Hz" it will work with just an adapter plug?

janisj

shelly_m: Yes . . . .

shelly_m

Thanks, janice. Don't want to blow up my camera battery or burn the dang place down.