Question about Vitamix in the UK/Europe

[Suz58]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone in Europe had tried using a US 110V vitamix in the UK using an adaptor. I've seen them on ebay much cheaper than I can get here. I have a US sewing machine that works with an adaptor I wondered if a Vitamix would work properly. Any ideas?

Any info on other US applainces being used in Europe would help too.
Thanks

[sport]

I may be wrong but I think that appliances with a built in transformer can be used but not with direct wiring.

[steveoregon]

I cant think of any reason why an adapter would not work.

.

[sport]

http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm
This crowd are selling converters for £10.
There is one other problem and that is that you may have to pay import duty on it.
I know that I would over here so I expect that the rules in the UK are the same.

[Arky]

You need to get a transformer that can handle the high wattage/ampage of a Vitamix at full power! Although I know Sport meant well, a £10 mini transformer will, sadly, come nowhere even close to being able to run a powerful blender. A blender draws a heck of a lot of current.

That means that your best bet, IF you decide to use a 110v appliance with a step-up transformer, is to look on eBay for a secondhand construction-worker's yellow site transformer. These are heavy beasts, weighing, and measuring, as much as 4 UK housebricks. To be frank with you, I'd go with a blender that is properly-designed for 240v use. I considered both options before buying mine. You might possibly save a few quid but the hassle, ungainliness of the transformer, and the lack of warranty make it a less-ideal option (Vitamix will not guarantee a 110v blender used with a 240v step-up transformer). Also, the pound is very weak against the dollar at the moment anyway.

Arky.

[alfredosanchez]

As has been mentioned, if you are charged import duty, it may not be worth getting the cheap one from the USA.

I've ordered a few large "bargains" from the states over the years, and one can always expect to have the delivery man ask for money to pay for government import duty when he knocks on the door.

Once I had to pay £70 duty to the delivery man to receive a "cheap" laptop I ordered from Florida. Needless to say, by the time the £70 duty was added and the cost of shipping, I might as well have just ordered one from within the UK, or somewhere else within the EU and not bothered with the hassle of ordering from so far away and having to use a UK-to-USA power adaptor.

The warranty also did not cover me outside of the USA, so when it broke I had to pay for repair myself.

Not a great outcome.

[Ilse W.]

There is a difference between an adapter and a transformer. Adapters only work with appliances that are built for both voltages, 110 and 240 (or 220 in Germany). I just checked for my daughter, who is stationed in Germany. The Vita-Mix is a single voltage machine, so you would need a transformer. It does not give the wattage, but it's 110V and 11.5 amps, which translates into 1265 watts. I would get a 2000 watt transformer to be on the safe side. Nevertheless, there still is the import tax issue.

[Suz58]

Thanks for all your help, I hadn't thought about import duty. I think I'll save my money and look out for a bargain over here.

[Raw Angel Mom]

If your vitamix isn't convert to your voltage. Your 220V will burn YOUR APPLIANCE.

Hope you find a good deal somewhere!

[Fee]

Thanks for all your help, I hadn't thought about import duty. I think I'll save my money and look out for a bargain over here.

Apparently they are going up in price by £20 in June. If you search you can often find details giving free delivery from Vitamix uk. Id certainly recommend one though - Ive just got one after using a cheaper relatiely high power blender and the difference is AMAZING! Enjoy it when you get one - it will be come the new love of your life.