endeneu

I have seen plenty of posts about hair dryers, a few about curling irons, but nothing so far about flat irons.

I have my beloved ceramic flat iron that I was confident I'd be abble to use overseas with an adapter or converter, however upon digging up the manual, it says that it has a IDCI plug, is 110v/60Hz, runs at around 25-30 watts and "DO NOT USE A CONVERTER".

Anyone know why I shouldn't be able to use a converter on this?

And if I can't bring it with me, does anyone know how difficult or expensive it is to get one in Berlin? (I will also be in London, but I can handle a couple of days going on one straightening. The majority of my time is in Germany/Netherlands)

Any recommendations besides just totally going without?

Patrick

"Anyone know why I shouldn't be able to use a converter on this?"

Because the manufacturer says so?

That's really low wattage and sounds like the same reason you can't use a converter for most electric shavers -- they'll blow out even with a converter.

kybourbon

Budman had this problem last year. Here is a link to that thread with several different solutions.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34495795

angy400

You shouldn't have any problem at all with buying one once in Berlin. Or you could even purchase a dual voltage one here. I got mine from Goodmans.net..I bought a Ga.ma one and they had a few different selections.

Angela

janis

OK - first the lecture -

'"DO NOT USE A CONVERTER". Anyone know why I shouldn't be able to use a converter on this?' If you have to ask this maybe you should get a new hairstyle and not take any electrical devices. You could be a hazard to yourself and others.

Now, about a flat iron - I personally wouldn't get a dual voltage one in the States. They DO usually work (you'd have to get plug adaptors) but they also sometimes blow fuses and/or burn up. I'd buy one in London and also get an inexpensive UK to Continental Europe adaptor plug. Then you'd be all set in London, Germany and the Netherlands.

Intrepid1

Definitely go dual voltage, especially if you might, even remotely might, go to Europe again.

Forget about converters which can be clunky, dangerous, ineffective, etc.

As to disregarding those manufacturer's instructions not to use a converter (language most likely provided by the manufacturer's LEGAL advisor to possibly avoid liability) I would read this as a sign that it is time to modernize with dual voltage...that is, unless you want your hair to get curly rather quickly.

Sarvowinner

lol

Kate

BTW, if you buy one in London (and get a cheap adapter for the continent) as Janis suggests, in the UK, they're called hair straighteners, not flat irons. You can get them in any branch of Boots or Superdrug (high street chemists that you will see EVERYWHERE).

tcreath

I brought my straightener on my last trip and ever with the converter it wouldn't really work. It would turn on but it didn't get hot enough to straighten my hair. If you really need one, I suggest you just buy one over there. Since we travel to Europe fairly often, that's what I ended up doing.

Tracy

endeneu

Thanks for the informative replies.

When I'd asked "why shouldn't I be able to use a converter", it wasn't because I had every intention of ignoring the manufacturer's advice but was curious about the technical reasons behind it. I should have specified that, but now that I've had coffee...

For those of you who purchased straighteners/irons in Europe, do you recall on average how much they went for?

I find it strange that mine isn't dual voltage because it's a high-end professional iron. I guess they just expect you to buy one for whichever voltage you require for your area.

janis

"I find it strange that mine isn't dual voltage because it's a high-end professional iron."

No, really not very strange at all. Relatively few professional devices are dual voltage. A dual voltage one will not work as well overseas because they usually have sort of "governors" built in so you can't use them at the higest power. It doen't make much sense having an expensive professional dryer or iron when one can only use them at the lowest settings. Most dual voltage hair appliances are either commercial brands like conair, or small travel sized ones (which are so underpowered to be nearly useless for long or thick hair).

The highest end stuff is often single voltage . . . .

endeneu

Thanks janis. Guess I've learned something new.

Obviously this is my first time overseas so it's something I hadn't given much thought to til now. Good to know.

kybourbon

I would buy in continental Europe instead of the UK because of the plug-ins. In CE they have round prongs and in the UK they have a triangular 3 prong.

jules4je7

"Anyone know why I shouldn't be able to use a converter on this?"

Because there's nothing like a hotel room fire to realize that manufacturer's suggestions are sometimes Laws of Nature.

Buy one when you get there. They have everything we do, only available in less color choices.

Happy Travels,

Jules

Trophywife007

I found a flat iron on sale at a "Sally Beauty Supply" in Bamberg, Germany for 20 euro last April. The voltage was also good for the U.K. so all I needed was a plug adaptor. (I wish I could have found such a good deal on an iron in the U.S.!) I was surprised to find the same beauty supply store there as we have here... I understand Sally has many branches in Europe.

I also always take a hair dryer I bought in Germany about 20 years ago. I like having my own equipment and knowing that it performs predictably. I've found that I can't depend on the ones provided by hotels.

All the best to you.

Christina

YOu may want to buy in Europe, I don't know and don't know their prices (although lots of things in Germany are pretty expensive right now). However, there are reasonably priced dual-voltage flat irons you can buy that are not specifically travel versions nor small. I have one that is Revlon and it only cost about US$20-25. It's a ceramic flat iron and regular size, but is dual voltage.

endeneu

Those prices are definitely reasonable to me. I'll see if I can look up that supply store before I leave. Thanks!

djkbooks

I travel with a dual voltage Conair blow dryer and dual voltage Conair hot curling brush which work just fine with just a plug adapter. (I keep a spare set in my travel bag at all times.) If you check www.conair.com, you'll find more than half a dozen flat iron appliances with dual voltage. If you can't find a model locally, you can order from the website (low shipping, quick delivery).

Xenos

In the UK, Argos (there's at least one store in almost every British town) have dozens of different ones to choose from, starting with a basic ceramic straightener for £9.99 and rising to £89.99 for a top of the range cordless model. www.argos.co.uk

Boots and Superdrug will have a more limited choice, but their shops are probably easier to find.