Will we need both plug adapters and electrical current converters to use our US made grooming appliances in Spain? Thanks for any information.
SandyB

The short answer...YES. You'd be better with dual voltage items...that you can use in the US or in Europe.

Sheryl

Sheryl,

Thanks for the info. If we have dual voltage appliances I gather that means we would only need to take along the plug adapters. Yes?

SandyB

That is correct. Have a fun trip!

Again...the short answer is yes...but there is a however ...

The plug (el enchufe) you need may be purchased in Spain, but the difficulty is that, as far as I know, they do not have plugs that fit the newer American ones...the ones with one side fatter than the other.

What to do? Well, what I do is I have an adapter for the older style plugs...the ones that were the same size on both sides. I'd take one of each to play it safe. It is possible that the European plugs have made the adjustment (although, I doubt it). Old fashion hardware stores, not Home Depot, might still carry the older version of this plug.

Sheryl

And don't forget that even with the different voltage, it's still not a good idea to place the hair dryer in your bathtub or bidet while plugged in and in the "on" position.

If the 'small appliance' is a hair dryer - buy one there - last time I bought one it was about $12 US - very small & light, very powerful - and, best of all, you won't short out all the fuses in the hostel!

Also, NEVER use a hairdryer while sleeping.

Sounds weird, but my conair hairdryer had this warning.

Mencey: Classic...there is, no doubt, a blog out there of "strange warnings" on products...brought about, I'm sure, by frivolous lawsuits in the U.S.

By the way, I'm writing this as I sit poolside in Tahiti...all expenses paid, thanks to a slippery floor at the local Kwik-E-Mart. Cha-ching! $$$

Gotta run, me and the woman who spilled hot McDonald's coffee on her lap are getting together for tennis.

Just a quick maybe dumb question....just using an adapter may not work for using my hairdryer or travel iron in spain? How will I know? Thanks