Help! I have to take my flat iron! Most adaptors, even alot of the 1600w say do not use with straight irons. Any ideas or recommendation on a certain product? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Just buy one when you get there. You can get one that is cheap but works fine and not have to worry about adapters or converters. Our hair dryers and flat irons just don't work well even with converters. I bought one of each years ago and take them with me on every trip. It's so much easier. Donna
Posted by
King George, VA
26 posts
I agree with Donna - just buy one there. I tried to use mine anyway and fried it, so I ended up buying one in Rome and then a new one when I got home. Save yourself the hassle and just plan on buying one there. I love the one I bought, I wish my US one worked as well!
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
My wife bought one here that was rated for both 110 and 220/240 (US and EU voltage). All she had to do was plug it into an simple Italian plug adaptor (not a voltage regulator/transformer/converter like you are talking about). Hint, when traveling to Italy buy both Italian types of adaptors; one with the small plugs and one with the larger plugs. When looking for an electrical device that will work in both the US and the EU, look for one that says it it is rated for "110-240 AC". Then all you need is a simple plug adaptor...and the plug adaptor will handle the watts that your standard US device requires.
Posted by
OP
Marysville, WA, US
22 posts
Thanks so much everyone!
Posted by
Park Hills, KY, USA
20 posts
I feel your pain sister! I too worried about the same thing. Granted I KNOW I am there for the sights, food, people, and not my hair but a girl needs her flat iron! I have a GHD. Now they are on the upper end of flat irons/salon grade. But I can't speak more highly about them. They heat up in mere seconds and are as hot as hot can get! Naturally I was worried about frying my investment and looked a the specs. It says they have a universal voltage, perfect for traveling. It's supposed to adapt on it's own. That said, I haven't tried it myself. I'm going the first week of November. We'll see!! Fingers crossed. Here's a link: http://straighteners.ghdhair.com/us/ghd-iv-styler
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Unless you really want to wander around looking for a flatiron, I would recommend you purchase one in the US that is dual voltage and then get an adaptor at a travel store. The one you have may already be dual voltage. Look carefully on it and see if you can find out. It will say 110-220 (or 240) 50-60Hz.
Posted by
OP
Marysville, WA, US
22 posts
I didn't even think about checking my existing one, thank you Dina!