Bringing Russian kitchen appliances into the US

[IrinaNMike 0]

Has anyone done this? Irina is returning from Russia on Wednesday, and she wants to bring a small kitchen appliance with her. She calls it her 'waffle maker', but from the photo she showed me, it looks more like an ice cream cone maker or an Italian pizzelle maker. She spreads out some very thin dough in it, cooks it into a rectangle, and rolls it onto a tube to cool, and then serves it with fillings.

I found that 220 to 110 transformers for 1000W+ appliances are pricey, but I was thinking that she could use it in the laundry room by plugging into the 220 outlet that the clothes dryer uses. That takes a standard US grounded three-prong plug. I haven't had any luck googling for a Russian 220 to American 110 plug adapter, however. I told her to look for one in Russia.

Does anyone have any better ideas on how to do this? I don't want her to be disappointed if I can help it.

Thanks, and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Has anyone done this? Irina is returning from Russia on Wednesday, and she wants to bring a small kitchen appliance with her. She calls it her 'waffle maker', but from the photo she showed me, it looks more like an ice cream cone maker or an Italian pizzelle maker. She spreads out some very thin dough in it, cooks it into a rectangle, and rolls it onto a tube to cool, and then serves it with fillings.

I found that 220 to 110 transformers for 1000W+ appliances are pricey, but I was thinking that she could use it in the laundry room by plugging into the 220 outlet that the clothes dryer uses. That takes a standard US grounded three-prong plug. I haven't had any luck googling for a Russian 220 to American 110 plug adapter, however. I told her to look for one in Russia.

Does anyone have any better ideas on how to do this? I don't want her to be disappointed if I can help it.

Thanks, and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

For one of my trips to Ukraine, I found all types of plug adapters, including the three-prong plug at Radio Shack...believe it or not it was something like $20.00. Go to a Radio Shack store near by (if available and look in the travelling section (where the little pouches for carrying traveler's checks are).

Good luck

Check it out...: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...oductId=2036266

Edited November 29, 2009 by Joe & Nadya

[Jasman0717 9]

Wouldn't it be easier to just replace them with American appliances?

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Wouldn't it be easier to just replace them with American appliances?

It would, however if his fiancee' is anything like my Ukrainian wife, I would NOT pick this battle. I'd do whatever it takes to keep her happy with either a transformer (also available at Radio Shack for about $60.00) or the plug adapter.

[slim 1,523]

Have her find one in Russia that will connect her appliance to your standard American wall outlet. Most 220V appliances like that will run off 110V power sources provided you can make them fit into the wall outlet.

If that doesn't work you could try your local Asian shop. Often they have 220V appliances and the gadgets to make them go. You can buy a generic adapter at Radio Shack for $20 or you can buy one at the Asian shop for $2. A converter will be slightly more, but shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg.

Don't make her cook blini in the laundry room, it'll taste like dryer lint!

If all else fails.... E-Bay!

[IrinaNMike 0]

Have her find one in Russia that will connect her appliance to your standard American wall outlet. Most 220V appliances like that will run off 110V power sources provided you can make them fit into the wall outlet.

If that doesn't work you could try your local Asian shop. Often they have 220V appliances and the gadgets to make them go. You can buy a generic adapter at Radio Shack for $20 or you can buy one at the Asian shop for $2. A converter will be slightly more, but shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg.

Don't make her cook blini in the laundry room, it'll taste like dryer lint!

If all else fails.... E-Bay!

I was actually not intending to plug it into a 110V outlet at all because I didn't want to damage it. I haven't been able to find anything equivalent to it over here. I don't think it's a blini maker; the end result is crispy, like a cannelloni, but with a pattern, like a waffle. I'll try 110V outlet now, though; the worst that can happen is that I'll have to go back to Russia to get another one.

Asian store for $2 or Radio Shack for $20. I'll need to think about that.

Thanks everyone!

[Oksana81 0]

This is a very interesting topic. I am also concerned that if I bring appliances from Russia and then plug them in into 110 outlet with a converter that I will burn them...

Has anyone tried plugging in hair dryer or an iron with a converter ?

[slim 1,523]

I was actually not intending to plug it into a 110V outlet at all because I didn't want to damage it. I haven't been able to find anything equivalent to it over here. I don't think it's a blini maker; the end result is crispy, like a cannelloni, but with a pattern, like a waffle. I'll try 110V outlet now, though; the worst that can happen is that I'll have to go back to Russia to get another one.

Asian store for $2 or Radio Shack for $20. I'll need to think about that.

Thanks everyone!

There should be no danger of hurting the appliance - it's not like "not having enough juice" will fry it. There's a slight chance that it won't heat up all the way, but I'm willing to bet the heater doesn't draw the full 220 anyway. Probably more like half of that, which is convenient because that's what you have!

This is a very interesting topic. I am also concerned that if I bring appliances from Russia and then plug them in into 110 outlet with a converter that I will burn them...

Has anyone tried plugging in hair dryer or an iron with a converter ?

For the most part, you don't need converters for 220 to 110. You only need them the other way. Adapters for the plugs is about all you'll need t make them run. Especially something like irons or hair dryers.... TV's or other electronics I might get a converter just to ensure steady power flow, but a "dumb" appliance usually doesn't need more than 12 or 20 volts or something like that.

Most 220 (and even 110) are built to draw what they need and everything else just kind of goes right on by. The problem you run into is when you use a 110 in a 220 because it's only built to resist 90 or so "extra" volts. When 200 "extra" volts come in, it kind of messes them up! If you only have half the normal current coming in, no worries.

Most higher-end electronics (and especially those sold in international markets) will have the capability to regulate input power already built in, you just need the right adapter. Things like irons and stuff won't have that function but they'll work just fine with "less" power.

Bottom line - if it's something that's expensive, do your homework and make sure you line up the right power/resistance settings. If it's cheap, plug that sucker in!

[IrinaNMike 0]

Once I accidentally plugged a 110V battery charger into a 220V outlet. It fried itself and the battery, but what a great Sound and Light Show!

[Chris_Жанна 11]

Bottom line - if it's something that's expensive, do your homework and make sure you line up the right power/resistance settings. If it's cheap, plug that sucker in!

I concur

[payxibka 10,045]

I'm not sure where this plays but power over there is 50HZ and in the US it is 60HZ.... may or may not be a factor

[Ban Hammer 13,283]

I'm not sure where this plays but power over there is 50HZ and in the US it is 60HZ.... may or may not be a factor

for clocks i know it sure is.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Here is the probem. Europe uses 220v electricty, we sue 110-120v. Ewven with an adaptor, the waffle maker (a resistive load) will be way underpowered. It will produce exactly half the heat and may not be enough to cook the batter and if it does it will be very slow.

Inductive loads, such as motors (the fan on her hair dryer) will simply burn up without the right voltage. The only appliace that will work is one with a built in transformer, such as computers, cell phone chargers, etc. IF the transformer is rated for 120-220 v. most are.

Adaptors can be had that are also trasformers and boost the voltage from 110 to 220. But those get pricey, more pricey than a new waffle maker. Alla left behind all her electrical appliances except her laptop.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I'm not sure where this plays but power over there is 50HZ and in the US it is 60HZ.... may or may not be a factor

For resistive loads (heaters, incadescent light bulbs, etc.) Hz iz not a big factor at all. For inductive loads and electronics, it is very important, give or take 10%, no more. Again, a transformer can take of this but they get expensive fast, or you need a lot of little ones. Generally it just isn't worth it if the device was not made for variable power sources, like computers, chargers, etc.

[SuperDuper! 230]

IN terms of celebrating back home, I could not leave this one behind. Best of all, this is one appliance you dont have to plug in.

ps, I gave my Russian coworker this one last year for Christmas. (yes, i know, that holiday does not exist there, but it does in US.)