Moving to the UK and appliances

[Grapefruity]

I'm looking for some advice re moving overseas with appliances 🙏🙏
Specifically US to UK.
I would ideally like to bring back my fridge, washing machine and TV. I'm wondering if realistically I should just try to sell them here and buy news ones once we're there. They're all fairly new.
Also smaller things like laptops, hairdryers, kettle, toaster etc.
Any other advice gratefully received!!

You'll need new everything as nothing will work. We work on 230v in Europe and all of your US stuff runs on 110. Also, plugs and sockets (outlets) are different.

That's definitely not the news I wanted to hear
I had heard I could use transformers but I wasn't sure if they were for large appliances or small ones. Or what the disadvantages would be

The sort of step-up transformers you’d need would be very expensive.

Sorry but agree with @DannyGlickWindowTapping

you need to bite the bullet and sell it and start fresh.

Nothing will ever work properly-not worth the aggro

Laptops should be fine as they come with a transformer in the lead. We have bought more than one from the states to use in the UK, but household appliances you will need to replace.

Have a look on the laptop, mobile etc chargers. Many small electronics will operate on 100-240V.
Dont bother bringing anything that doesnt have that written on the socket.

Also, look to get an adapter that has a single UK plug, plus 4 (or6) US plugs. Then all your electonics with US plugs can run from one adapter. Basically, the reverse of this, which is likely to be easier to get before you travel.

Laptop is fine as they have universal voltage, some hairdryers are (carefully check the plug) otherwise sell. The transformers needed to run big appliances cost mote than a new machine plus mostly they cost less in the U.K. be aware that our washers and dryers are also smaller generally due to kitchen/utility room size limitations. I've done the move. If you have games machines etc it's worth bringing these as they require less power so the transformers cost less.

Thank you everyone. Some very good advice.
I was very naive imagining some kind of gadget that would work for all appliances.

Also, look to get an adapter that has a single UK plug, plus 4 (or6) US plugs. Then all your electonics with US plugs can run from one adapter.

Because that's not at all dangerous.

Are you sure your washer and drier aren't 220 volt? They might work ok.

Just had a google and the frequency is different so anything with a motor in it isn't likely to work properly.

I think ive given a poor description, JaJa. It's not at all dangerous, and very common. Sure, if you overload it, it's dangerous, as is any socket. But they are not inherently safe.
All the OP needs is like the attached, but the bit with 4 sockets needs to be US not UK.
We have Euro to UK. I'm sure they exist for US to UK.

We're Brits lovying in the US, and generally things don't transfer across. Electronics do, but you need to buy a new cable in the UK. Most stuff, particularly big things, won't work even with a transformer. We do still have a big transformer that we use for a few power tools, but it is big, heavy and ugly. You definitely don't want several of them in a room. They also build up heat as you use them so they're not for constant use.

BTW, where I live, appliances are all part of the house sale so you'd have to leave them behind even if only moving down the street. Check what you're expected to leave in your house.

@Bwlch it is 165

165?

My sister used to live in the US and I vaguely remember her talking about bringing their washer and dryer back because were the same voltage as the UK.

They didn't bring anything back in the end.

Its actually a Mexican machine but the voltage used is the same in the US as Mexico. The sticker says 165 for the energy factor.
This is more complicated than I was expecting

@InTheLongGrass

I think ive given a poor description, JaJa. It's not at all dangerous, and very common. Sure, if you overload it, it's dangerous, as is any socket. But they are not inherently safe. All the OP needs is like the attached, but the bit with 4 sockets needs to be US not UK. We have Euro to UK. I'm sure they exist for US to UK.

I thought you meant one of those plugs you plug into a socket that you can then plug three or four other plugs into. I agree - the one in the photo is fine.

Electricity/voltage aside, consider the costs of moving those larger items overseas. Are you using a shipping container or something?

I have moved U.K. to USA. No big appliances work. My hair straighteners work with an adapter, had to replace hair dryer. We left all appliances. We did bring some lamps but they didn’t work. Brought coffee machines and they didn’t work either.

please do not take any chances with electrical safety.
a false economy if ever there was one.

I grew up with American appliances (washer dryer huge top loaders) running with small transformer (heaviest thing ever - size of two bricks) or dedicated two pin sockets. All running fine in parents house and still used there.
Can’t imagine it would be worth the hassle with bigger items to bring over. There are dealers here in London selling American top loaders etc wired for U.K.

If your appliances are USA ones, the electrical difference is bigger than if, say, you were moving from an EU country to UK.

Your bigger appliances just won't work without a very specialised and properly fitted transformer (not just one you buy and use on the plug) so sell your washing machine/fridge/tumble dryer etc. and buy UK machines when you get here.

You will need a converter for your laptop plugs but it will change the voltage in the transformer. You could try an adapter for your smaller goods but most with a heating element in them (eg. hair dryer, toaster, curling tongs) will still have problems with the voltage difference.

It's not really worth it to be honest.

Have you got a house? Just my experience is American appliances are larger and might not fit in the standard British kitchen recesses.

You can buy transformers- it’s pretty common for the Americans to do that when they come here to the UAE (which has English voltage and sockets). But the appliances don’t last as long as they normally would. You’re better off asking on an expat forum to be honest (or Living Overseas on here) as you will get more sensible answers that are practical.

Thank you everyone for your replies. It seems selling everything and starting again seems to be the sensible option. I'm just disappointed because everything is fairly new