So everyone has been saying that hair dryers do not work with the converters because of the voltage and to buy a dryer out there, but what about a straightner or a curling iron? 2 out of the 4 places we are staying(through AIRBnB), have hair dryers, but what are your experiences with a straightner and curling iron being used with your converter?
Here is the one I am looking at getting
Ceptics Grounded Universal Plug Adapter for Italy (Type L) - 3 Pack
Danielle,
If you're planning to travel with a straightener and curling iron, I'd recommend buying dual-voltage models such as THESE products from Magellan's. You could also buy 220 VAC appliances when you arrive in Europe.
One important point to note is that some manufacturers (I believe Chi is one) specifically prohibit use of their products with solid-state voltage converters. Contravening their instructions will void the warranty (and the appliance will likely self-destruct as soon as it's connected).
Don't know about the devices (never needed one myself :-), as long as they say 110 - 220 V on them they should work.
You can get an adapter plug from the Rick Steves store for only $1. I have a couple and they have worked in every country on the European continent for me without any issues. This one does not have the ground plug the one you referenced does, but I find I don't need it.
Pack light, leave them at home. How long are you going for anyways?
Danielle,
There are quite a few dual voltage curling irons listed on Amazon. Buy one of those then get a plug adaptor to fit the Italian plugs. If you plug your regular 120V American curling irons and straighteners into a 240V European plug they are going to FRY, then probably blow out the electricity in the entire house (temporarily)! They are not as easy to find to buy in Europe as they are here, although it's possible. I bought a great one in Germany, but it cost about $80 six or seven years ago.
I agree with everyone who said go with dual voltage. I actually bought a straightener in Italy because I couldn't find one several years ago. I think they are pretty common now as are hair dryers.
I am in the beauty business and have all Hot Tools. I never take them because they don't have dual voltage, I just went to Target, Walmart, Kmart, what ever is in your area and bought a large curling Iron from Revlon. I actually have two of them cause they were very inexpensive. It will say right on the box that they have dual voltage. I am sure you can buy that brand in any size curling Iron or Flat Iron. And truthfully I think they work just as well as the expensive professional ones for a vacation!
I agree with "pack light and leave them at home". I am female and have realized that being in different countries with different weather, my hair is going to do what it wants! I don't want to waste time on trying to fix my hair, (for who??) when I can be out exploring a new city. Sorry if this offends anyone.
I have high maintenance hair and need a curling iron desperately. I have a cheap dual voltage which I have used for years. It works great! Think I bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond. You just need the adapter and you will be just fine.
Follow Judy's advice and buy a cheap dual voltage straightener to use with an adapter. I puzzled over this too. I considered buying a converter to use with my existing straightener, but the converter package specifically said Do Not Use with hair straighteners, can't get any more specific than that. Also, I found that online product descriptions for Walmart and London Drugs (Western Canada) didn't always mention if it was dual voltage, I had to go to the physical store and read the packaging.
I was clueless and took my Chi straightener to use ... it burst into flames!!!
Buy cheap one when you get there. And relax more .... hair is not nearly as important here as in U.S.!
And if you are planning to travel soon, the heat wave is a beast. You may not want to be using that blow dryer .... just step outside into the 100 degree day and poof .... dry hair!
Catherine
The responses are all over the place but the conclusion is the same. Any high wattage appliances (hair dryer, curling iron, etc.,) have the same problem in that they DO NOT work well with a converter and, in fact, may be damaged even with a converter. There is technical reason for that but it is unimportant to you. SO - either take a dual voltage from the US or take nothing. Even dual voltage will not perform as well as a local 220 voltage.
PS - If it is a switchable dual voltage make sure the switch is in the correct position. Might use a piece of tape to hold it there.
"I was clueless and took my Chi straightener to use ... it burst into flames!!! "
Precisely as I mentioned above. To reiterate, best to either take a dual-voltage appliance or buy hair appliances in Europe.
Even with 3 different brands of converters, I have ruined 3 hair straightening things..one in Scotland and 2 in Italy. (Clearly I am a slow learner). I have decided buying a really cheap one on location as it were, is a great through the back door experience. And when we are leaving, I ask housekeeping if anyone on her staff might want it, and the reply is always (well, 5 times) Yes. So, I get to find the kind of store that sells hair appliances, and get there and chat up the salesperson about which one.....and give it to someone who want it. And yes, I buy them new every time because buying them is neat AND there are two less things (and their weight) in my bag.All good.
I managed to shut down the power in a whole building many years ago with my hair dryer and a converter while traveling in Italy. Small converters are useless and dangerous; either get dual voltage or buy one there designed for local voltage. I sympathize with those who MUST have these devices. when my hair was mid length I had to have a hair dryer to look even acceptable -- I grew it long so I can put it up or pull it into a pony tail for travel so I don't have to mess with these devices any longer but many hairstyles just don't work without tools.
I like Kate's plan!
Thanks for all the responses. What is the voltage that is ok? All of mine are 220-230V? I'm guessing that wont work. I'm not planning on bringing anything unless it will work or ill just buy over there
...220-230V?
240 volts is the nominal voltage with 220 to 240 volts the approximate voltage range that the electrical device/appliance is designed to accept. Actual voltage may drop during periods of high demand. Look up "brownouts". A device rated for 220-240 volts is suppose to function if voltage drops to 220.
A tiny travel hairdryer with a good round brush and good technique.
And that's it to have straight hair. My tiny traval hairdryer dries my hair quicker than my larger one...heh
I think it is a Revlon one and I have used it throughout Europe with plug adapter.
I don't think you need to pay the inflated prices of buying from a travel company. I found a great dual-voltage hot air brush at Sally Beauty Supply. It is a Conair Jilbere Professional. I actually picked it up at a "2 for 1" sale, so I have one for home and one for my travel bag. It works really well for straightening and even does curling. After LOTS of research, it was the only dual-voltage hot air brush I could find that actually worked. (It is NOT the Conair hot air brush sold at Target or on Amazon. I have that one too, and it is useless.) I also take a dual-voltage curling iron by Conair (sold at Target) just in case. Several years ago we purchased a power strip in Europe and that goes in our travel bag. That way all we need is dual-voltage equipment and adapters, and we always have plenty of outlets. Worth noting: The outlets in bathroom don't always have enough voltage to run hair tools. (probably originally wired for electric razors) Finally, if a hair tool doesn't prominently say "Dual Voltage" on the package, it isn't. Learned that the hard way.
