Is it ok to use 120V blender (or juicer) in a 220V country?
If you’ve invested in an expensive blender and for whatever reason, decide to move to a different part of the world, you may be faced with the decision: does the blender stay or go? While the USA and most of Central America use 110-120V electricity, the rest of the world (mainly Europe, South America, Asia and Australia) use 220-240V. To accommodate the difference, you can buy a transformer to change the voltage between your blender and the wall. However, changing the power that runs the blender can really wear the motor down over time, and after several months to a year, you may find that the motor “burns out.”
Can you have a 110V blender in a 220V country?
If you spent a lot of money on a nice Vitamix, Blendtec, Omega, or Ninja blender, you might really be tempted to keep it and just hook it up to a transformer. But, I’ve heard the horror stories from people saying that their blender died after just a few months in their new country, every time! (Keep in mind that if your blender dies, you’ll be out even more money to buy a new one and will no longer have the old one to sell either!)
Most warranties are not covered when you switch voltages or use transformers.
Your best bet: Sell your fantabulous blender (or juicer) and find it a happy, new owner in your existing country, or gift it to a family member or friend. Buy a new one that matches the voltage in your new destination and keep the new motor running at full power with the correct voltage to match the voltage in your new home.
Voltage-friendly blender-finding tips
- Are you living in or visiting the USA and looking for a new 220V blender to take home with you? Check amazon.com and ebay.com for blenders that are 220V and described as Not for Use in USA. The prices are much cheaper than what you will find overseas, but the catch is that they only ship within the USA. So, buy the 220V machine and have it shipped to your address while you’re in the United States. When flying home, remove the blade from the base of the blender and pack it in your checked bag. The rest of the blender can be placed in your carry-on bag.
- Look for a new blender on craigslist or ebay in your new country. If your local destination has a group facebook page, try posting an ad and ask, “Does anyone have a used blender for sale?” You will be surprised in how many responses you get!
- Contact the blender manufacturers in your new destination country and ask if they have any refurbished machines or returns for sale at a discounted rate.
The Technical Details: Transformers will fix the voltage problem, but not the frequency problem. Transformers can not shift frequency. Running a 60Hz motor on 50Hz will have the following results:
1) It will turn 20% slower.
2) Cooling will drop dramatically, and current draw will increase causing even more heat.
3) The horsepower output will drop, possibly dramatically. Bottom line – your blender will not survive its warranty period, or if it is out of warranty it certainly will have a reduced life.
Thanks to Richard Thompson, an electrical engineer (and my dad!) for providing this explanation!
Remember: It’s best to stick with the voltage where you live. If you live in a 110V country, use a 110V blender (and juicer). If you live in a 220V country, stick with a 220V blender (and juicer). That way, you’re sure to make the best green smoothies, green juices, and health drinks for many years to come!
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Jennifer Betesh
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2019
Unfortunately, I’m a road warrior who is trying to eat healthier, so 50% of the countries I visit, are 110v, and the other half is 220v. Any recommendation apart from having a 110v and a 220v version?
Stay in hotels or Airbnbs that have kitchens so you can make your own food with their appliances. I do this all the time, and it’s very doable. Many hotels all over the world have small kitchenettes or apartment-style lodging. Even hostels offer shared kitchens and appliances that you can use. And of course Airbnb works too – just search for places that have kitchens.
If you are committed to a healthy lifestyle, you will find ways to make it work.
Hi ! I buy a juicer “green Star Elite5000” very expensive from the United States, from Amazon, and in my country that is Portugal where I live, for the first time that I start to use my beautiful juicer with a transformer, after just 30 seconds that I was juicing , my green star stop automatically and cames smog from the back of the machine! And I had try again and stop again automatically! So… What should I do now with this machine? Thank you . Carolina
Dear Carolina,
Sorry to hear you have a blow-up with the transformer. (To everyone who said you can use a transformer with no ill effect take note!)
I suppose you can try to contact the manufacturer and see if they will give you a refund or if the machine can be serviced.
For future reference, you can buy juicers on amazon that are already 220V such as the Omega Juicer (it states: “NOT for use in USA 220V only”).
Good luck!
My best,
Jennifer
Hey there, I just found a great juicer Id like to buy, but I live in germany and cant seem to find the new Omega cube 300s juicer anywhere with the 220 voltage…any help will be presch
Dear Ron,
I would suggest to contact Omega directly and ask. I know that Blendtec will make 220V blender on a special order basis at their factory in Utah, but you have to request it directly with the company. Omega may be selling a 220V version somewhere too, so definitely ask them that as well. Good luck!
To your health,
Jennifer
This info isn’t totally correct you don’t need a transformer to get the correct voltage, the difference between the US and European standards is the frequency 50Hz/60Hz and with 110&220v/120&240v. You get the 220 or 240 by wiring a circuit combining two 110or120v lines. Get an electrician for that part.
Oh boy, I hope no one listens to this ill advised comment! Remember this please – when you mess with your blender between 220 and 110, your warranty is VOID, GONE, KAPUT. Why do you think they void the warranty when you have messed with the wrong voltage? Because it ruins the machine! A bit of common sense goes a long way here. Good luck and happy blending my health enthusiast friends!
Hi.I live in Uk. Can you tell me please what should I do if I have a Vitamix pro750 from US ? Thank you!
Dear Cornelius,
I would recommend that you sell the US Vitamix and invest in a new or used one made for use in UK. Long-term, you will get more life out of a blender designed for the voltage in your country.
Good luck! My best,
To your health,
Jennifer
Hi. Can I use a Vitamix made for UK (220-240v, 50Hz) in the Philippines, which uses 220v, 60Hz?
Dear RS,
As far as I’m aware, this should be fine and will not break your warranty…however to be sure it’s probably best to contact Vitamix directly and ask them.
If you can’t get one, you can always go to Thailand to the MACRO stores…they sell industrial/professional blenders. Not Vitamix but other good brands made in Asia. In fact, most restaurants in Thailand buy their blenders, juicers, etc from MACRO. Just be sure to bring cash as they don’t accept credit cards.
Good luck!
To your health,
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer
New vitamin models are 50/60 Hz . You only need to change the voltage with help of a transformer. Get a nice transformer made in USA. All good.
Bye-bye warranty!
Why bye bye warranty… that’s a valid point (I do electric work myself)… 50/60 hz takes care of the issue because the transformer is therefore doing its task safely.
Most warranties are not covered when you switch voltages or use transformers.
want to buy a phone from a country which use 120V and frequency is 60hz and will be use it in 220V 50Hz country. will it work or fall under difficulties?
tnQ
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So if a US 110V blender is rated/labelled as 50/60 Hz, will you still have power issues when using a converter in Europe?
KB
did you ever get your question answered?
So if a US 110V blender is rated/labelled as 50/60 Hz, will you still have power issues when using a converter in Europe?
I would like to buy a vitamix blender from the USA because they are half the price.
I would work. I have used transformer in Europe to charge Makita tools. It’s been 7 years no issues.
Most devices nowadays are rated for 50/ 60 Hz.
Charging tools (or phones/computers) is different than running a motor.
And please remember, once you use a transformer with your blender, you violate the warranty so cannot get a replacement once the motor wears out!
Well, since Vitamix is both 50 htz and 60 htz if that is true, then when you go to a 220v country you don’t need a converter you just need a plug that draws power from just one side of the 2-prong plug. In the USA one side of the plug is power, the other is neutral and the third is ground. In a 220v country, they don’t have neutral and rarely have ground. So each prong supplies 110v making the 220v. The adapter plug basically has 2 prongs but one is a blank and power comes from just one of them
Thanks for the info!