Flat Iron to Use Abroad
February 2, 2016 11:13 AM Subscribe
I've had trouble with US flat irons melting or not turning on when used in 110v countries, even when the flat iron is travel-sized and labeled dual voltage and used with an adapter or low powered converter. Is there a good solution to this problem?
I've read that heat-related tools like flat irons and blow dryers often don't work well with adapters because of the wattage difference which causes them to over heat. Apparently you can get a converter that is designed for a high enough wattage, but they're usually pretty big and heavy, and from the reviews I've read, are spotty with heat tools anyway.
I'm considering buying a wireless heat styler (like this one: http://www.sephora.com/movos-wireless-styler-P398929?skuId=1705847 ) on the theory that because you charge it before using, the heat problem shouldn't translate and it should charge like other electronics (several articles support this idea).
I won't have access to a car and I don't know if it will be possible to find a store that would carry a reasonably hot flat iron on my next trip, so I'd like to come up with a solution that I can take with me.
I've read that heat-related tools like flat irons and blow dryers often don't work well with adapters because of the wattage difference which causes them to over heat. Apparently you can get a converter that is designed for a high enough wattage, but they're usually pretty big and heavy, and from the reviews I've read, are spotty with heat tools anyway.
I'm considering buying a wireless heat styler (like this one: http://www.sephora.com/movos-wireless-styler-P398929?skuId=1705847 ) on the theory that because you charge it before using, the heat problem shouldn't translate and it should charge like other electronics (several articles support this idea).
I won't have access to a car and I don't know if it will be possible to find a store that would carry a reasonably hot flat iron on my next trip, so I'd like to come up with a solution that I can take with me.
What do you mean by "adapter" and "converter"? If you have a dual-voltage power supply, you just need something that changes the plug style from say UK to US, like this. If you're using something that is trying to down-convert the voltage, like this, you're going to have problems.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:50 AM on February 2, 2016
posted by mr_roboto at 11:50 AM on February 2, 2016
Just confirming, you want a 220v flat iron to work in Europe, right?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:56 AM on February 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:56 AM on February 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: mskyle, I'm not sure I'll be able to buy one while overseas, and that's why I was looking for other options.
mr_roboto, the flat irons themselves have been labeled dual voltage, but I'm not sure about the power supply. I've plugged them in to regular adapters (which just change the shape of the plug) as well as converters that are supposed to down convert the voltage, and neither have worked.
Ruthless Bunny, sorry, yes, I do mean 220v, although I'll be in Africa, not Europe. Purchasing a 220v flat iron from here could be a good solution!
posted by odayoday at 1:44 PM on February 2, 2016
mr_roboto, the flat irons themselves have been labeled dual voltage, but I'm not sure about the power supply. I've plugged them in to regular adapters (which just change the shape of the plug) as well as converters that are supposed to down convert the voltage, and neither have worked.
Ruthless Bunny, sorry, yes, I do mean 220v, although I'll be in Africa, not Europe. Purchasing a 220v flat iron from here could be a good solution!
posted by odayoday at 1:44 PM on February 2, 2016
If you're going somewhere that doesn't sell irons, you won't need to iron your clothes.
Seriously, don't ever bother trying to move small heating appliances between 110V and 220V countries. It's always both more reliable and more cost-effective just to get local small appliances. There is so much less engineering in a 220V flat iron than in anything that could possibly run one off 110V. Same applies in the opposite direction.
Expensive electronics, like laptops and phones, are a different class of thing entirely. Their power requirements are way, way lower for a start, and these days most of them come with universal power supplies that will happily feed off anything from 100V to 250V, needing at most a different wall plug. But irons and hair straighteners and blow dryers? Just buy local.
posted by flabdablet at 5:38 PM on February 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Seriously, don't ever bother trying to move small heating appliances between 110V and 220V countries. It's always both more reliable and more cost-effective just to get local small appliances. There is so much less engineering in a 220V flat iron than in anything that could possibly run one off 110V. Same applies in the opposite direction.
Expensive electronics, like laptops and phones, are a different class of thing entirely. Their power requirements are way, way lower for a start, and these days most of them come with universal power supplies that will happily feed off anything from 100V to 250V, needing at most a different wall plug. But irons and hair straighteners and blow dryers? Just buy local.
posted by flabdablet at 5:38 PM on February 2, 2016 [2 favorites]
Almost all of my dual voltage hair tools have a switch to change them from 220/110. You have to physically move this switch IN ADDITION TO using the plug adapter. Even then, my blow dryer, for example, will only work on the lowest setting when it's set to 110.
In my extensive international travel experience, those plug-in convertors are total shit, and have actually fried my devices.
I have a $100 dual-voltage Paul Mitchell flat iron that works flawlessly in both the US and Amsterdam. I think if you want something like this you'll either have to splurge on something or buy two different devices.
posted by Brittanie at 3:01 AM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
In my extensive international travel experience, those plug-in convertors are total shit, and have actually fried my devices.
I have a $100 dual-voltage Paul Mitchell flat iron that works flawlessly in both the US and Amsterdam. I think if you want something like this you'll either have to splurge on something or buy two different devices.
posted by Brittanie at 3:01 AM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
I agree that you'll have to splurge on a better flat iron if you want one that works everywhere. I have a GHD IV which is fantastic, but expensive. Alternatively, you can buy a 220v straightener from Folica.com while you're in the US. I've done that before and it worked out very well.
posted by tango! at 6:26 AM on February 3, 2016
posted by tango! at 6:26 AM on February 3, 2016
Response by poster: I am absolutely willing to invest in a GHD IV if it works everywhere! Thank you for the suggestion!
posted by odayoday at 7:48 AM on February 3, 2016
posted by odayoday at 7:48 AM on February 3, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mskyle at 11:18 AM on February 2, 2016 [4 favorites]