I purchased a small 17oz Bodum water kettle to take to Italy. I cannot figure out if I need an electricity convertor or not. Does it hurt to use the convertor if I may not really need it? My convertor has a 500w and 1800 w setting. My hairdryer and flatiron all say 120-240, so I don't think I need a convertor for those, just adapter. Right?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32822 posts
What does it say on on the kettle?
Posted by
OP
Fresno, CA
16 posts
The manual says "nominal voltage euro 220-240 v-50-60 hz.
I am a bit nervous because we blew out 2 coffee pots in Russia using a convertor a few years ago. I don't want to pack this, then blow it in one use.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32822 posts
Hmm, interesting. If that is true you don't need the converter. I would never believe the instruction booklet though, I'd read the plate on the product. What does the plug look like - european 2 pin, european 3 pin, or US?
Posted by
OP
Fresno, CA
16 posts
Plug is US 2 pin. Kettle itself says 120-240v, 60 hz
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32822 posts
My guess is the kettle may have a little switch on it to switch the voltage, if so be sure to turn it. You may have to use a screwdriver or nail file. If it is set up right it sounds like you are good to go with just an adapter plug. If you set it up for 220v and then use the converter I think it highly likely you will overheat one or both with suitable fireworks, so I wouldn't recommend that. Good luck with the electricals, just don't burn down your room with all going at once. Many Italian electrical systems are, how shall I say it, fragile. You may find you only have one wall socket to work from, and if you are particularly unlucky you may have thin pins and it will want fat pins, or the other way around. You may have to borrow a specific adapter from the desk. We now try to carry the minimum electric stuff (just a small portable fan) and the minimum electronic stuff - chargers for the netbook and camera batteries which all work off a common plug cord.
Posted by
OP
Fresno, CA
16 posts
Grazie. I appreciate the advice.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
If it says 120-240V input voltage, then you should be just fine. The most important thing is the voltage get that wrong (with 110V only items) and you can have a fire. You need a plug converter to go from US 2 pin to European 2-pin. See http://www.lodgephoto.com/blog/what-kind-of-power-adapter-do-i-need-in-europe/231