I just came back from Amsterdam and Paris. My flat iron I was able to use for a few minutes and then it would no longer come on in Amsterdam. As for my hair dryer, it blew up in Paris. It is the same one i have been using for the past 3 yrs in Europe. I had used a converter when using both items. Any suggestions on what I can buy for these two necessary items when traveling??
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33779 posts
If it had been me I would have gone out to Hema in Amsterdam and replaced both with European ones I could use for all the upcoming trips in the coming years. Or just replaced the one, and when the other went in Paris, I would have hopped over to Darty or Monoprix and done the same. Just getting another US one would be asking for more trouble.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
My wife bought a travel iron and a travel hair dryer from Magellan's. They both worked well in Spain and on another trip to Great Britain. She used them on a daily basis.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23621 posts
Assuming you had a correct, wattage wise, converters, it is not surprising that the units failed. Even with a correct converter, high wattage units do not do well with converted current - reason is a bit complicated to explain here - and damage can accumulate over time till failure. You best bet is buy equipment designed to run on 220. Second best would be dual voltage on this sign but best is still to purchase in Europe especially if making a trip every two or three years.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32349 posts
bec, As the others have suggested, you have two options: > Purchase dual-voltage appliances from Magellans or other store. These will be usable at home as well as during travel. > Purchase appliances at the first place you stop on your next European trip, and pack those along on subsequent trips. Of course, you'd have to purchase duplicate appliances for use at home. On the topic of "Converters", some manufacturers specifically recommend against using their products with Voltage Converters (I believe Chi is one of them). As Frank mentioned, the reasons are somewhat complex, but a simple explanation is that even some basic appliances now contain electronic circuits, and these don't tolerate the "rough" power produced by solid-state Converters (which are the only type of Voltage Converters that are practical for most travellers to pack along for use with high wattage hair appliances - taking a 20-30 lb. transformer is not an option for most people). Based on my experience this year, you may only need to pack a Flat Iron in future. Virtually all of the Hotels I stayed at this year provided a Hair Dryer in the room. Cheers!