Using UK household appliances in Germany

[anichka 2]

I am considering a job offer in Germany, and I currently live in the UK. One of my coworkers here said he thought all my UK appliances (fridge, washing machine, etc.) should work over there as long as I change the plug on them. Is this correct?

 

When I moved to the UK a few years ago, I was surprised by the diminutive appliances necessary for the smaller kitchens. Are Germany flats similar to the UK in this regard? At my current house, I have an almost American-sized fridge freezer. I am wondering if it will be a challenge to find a place where it will fit (as it would be if I was moving within the UK).

 

Thanks!

[Gorgo 141]

yes and yes

[Mik Dickinson 443]

they will work over here

[Guy 196]

And just a tip: unless they have a cellar, Germans put their washing machines in the bathroom, rather than the kitchen, like in the UK.

[mrloop 13]

A washing machine may be more problematic as UK machines usually need a hot and a cold water feed whilst the local ones have only a cold feed.

[PeterN 1,179]

In Germany a fitted kitchen (units, worktops etc) may be removed by the previous owners/renters when they move out. They will be installing it in their new place.

You will leave your current kitchen units in your house in the UK so you'll need to buy a new fitted kitchen here. Provided the kitchen (room) in your new German home is big enough you will have the opportunity to design your fitted kitchen layout around your large fridge/freezer.

[hoare-spitall 57]

 

A washing machine may be more problematic as UK machines usually need a hot and a cold water feed whilst the local ones have only a cold feed.

Using a cold feed only on a UK machine does work as I've done it in the past, but it will put a larger workload on the water heater, which may consequently give up the ghost earlier than expected.

[katieliz 145]

I bought my used washing machine from a couple that brought it from the UK. I just had to change the plug but it is 220v and works fine. I have a used German made "american-size" fridge too, but since the kitchens are essentially empty when you move it, you can put it wherever you want and just plug it in...no problem : )

[rick_de 826]

 

A washing machine may be more problematic as UK machines usually need a hot and a cold water feed whilst the local ones have only a cold feed.

And the drum will spin to the right rather than the left!

[StephieB 0]

Hi all, I am moving to Duisburg in July and would like to bring my refrigerator with me, as it is only 6 months old.

 

Do you think the following fridge would work ok in Germany, if I put an adaptable plug on it:

 

Frigidaire, RLE223A 1.75 m tall

 

Thanks

 

Steph

[Guest]

Change the plug.. do not use an adaptor!

[MrNosey 5,328]

What he said, though we assume you're moving from the UK as that is what you've got in your details.

[StephieB 0]

Sorry, I should have included that info... yes, I'm moving from Cov, England to Duisburg.

 

Thanks for your help folks! Steph

[SmittyBoy 494]

 

And just a tip: unless they have a cellar, Germans put their washing machines in the bathroom, rather than the kitchen, like in the UK.

 

I think is a gross generalization. My apartment came with the washer in the kitchen, and it was kitted out by a German family.

[Allershausen 6,414]

I don't have a cellar and my washing machine is in the kitchen.

[nina_glyndwr 4,748]

One warning - some kitchens are very small. My old one could barely fit two people into it. Just big enough for a fridge and a cooker and a sink side by side.

 

My current one is bigger and was left by the previous tenants and has five electrical appliances in it.

 

Some flats will say 'Kochnische' and this means that there is no separate kitchen but that part of the living room has some kitchen units in it.

 

Be careful and check as to what you're going to get and don't assume anything.