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thomas pars
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
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 Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:08 pm Post subject: do i need a transformer for my coffee maker? |
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| brought a coffee maker over from the states. i can't tell if i can just use a an adapter or if i need a transformer. anybody know? thanks. |
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blackjack
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Look on the bottom or back. if it says 120V then yes if it says 240 or 220V then no. It probably will need a transformer |
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air76
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, you do....you need a transformer for any electrical appliance that doesn't already have a transformer built in. Which basically means anything that is not a cell phone, MP3 Player, or laptop....that little black box in the middle of your laptop cord, that is a transformer, transforming anything from 110-240 volts into most likely 15 volts.
As a drip coffee maker is a simple heating element you could in theory plug it in, make the coffee really quick, and turn it off when the brewing is finished (not leaving it on to keep the coffee hot), and you shouldn't have any trouble. The element would heat up faster (which shouldn't hurt anything)...but you shouldn't leave it on for an extended period of time. If it is an expensive coffee maker then you might not want to do this....however, it might be cheaper/easier to risk ruining your coffee maker than having a huge transformer box in your kitchen (which will run you at least 30,000 won as it is, maybe more)...but I am not an electrician, so don't quote me on this! But a friend visited and used her hair straightener without any damage...the element in a drip coffee maker is quite similar.
Another option is to buy a coffee pot for 20,000 won at HomePlus. |
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blackjack
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| air76 wrote: |
Yes, you do....you need a transformer for any electrical appliance that doesn't already have a transformer built in. Which basically means anything that is not a cell phone, MP3 Player, or laptop....that little black box in the middle of your laptop cord, that is a transformer, transforming anything from 110-240 volts into most likely 15 volts.
As a drip coffee maker is a simple heating element you could in theory plug it in, make the coffee really quick, and turn it off when the brewing is finished (not leaving it on to keep the coffee hot), and you shouldn't have any trouble. The element would heat up faster (which shouldn't hurt anything)...but you shouldn't leave it on for an extended period of time. If it is an expensive coffee maker then you might not want to do this....however, it might be cheaper/easier to risk ruining your coffee maker than having a huge transformer box in your kitchen (which will run you at least 30,000 won as it is, maybe more)...but I am not an electrician, so don't quote me on this! But a friend visited and used her hair straightener without any damage...the element in a drip coffee maker is quite similar.
Another option is to buy a coffee pot for 20,000 won at HomePlus. |
The first part isn't quite right. if the appliance is designed to be able to run on 240V it will be fine, but it probably isn't.
The second, I would not risk it. If you were lucky it would simply blow, unlucky it might catch fire.
Third, yes, just buy a new one, unless you have a few appliances is it worth buying an adapter?
here is one for 35,000
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=155796300
and one for 22,000
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=170024402 |
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thomas pars
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks much guys. |
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air76
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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Why would an appliance be designed for 220V if it's sold in the US? Unless it has a built in transformer it can't run on 110 and 220, can it?
Either way, the best bet is to store the coffee maker in a box, mutter a few obscenities, and buy a new coffee maker at HomePlus. |
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ChilgokBlackHole
Joined: 21 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| air76 wrote: |
| Why would an appliance be designed for 220V if it's sold in the US? |
Because it's usually cheaper for the manufacturer to source one 110-240v/50-60Hz power supply and sell it worldwide than to make a different appliance for every country. Computers? Very much yes. There's a label and a switch on the back. Coffee makers? Not so much, usually they're cheap enough where you can just buy one when you get where you're going. |
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