Electric Grill

[SammyZee56]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here. I'm sure my level of electronics understanding is quite lower than many of you out there so I hope you can answer my question.

I bought an electric grill for my dorm room and it just came but it is taking forever to heat up and I don't think that it will ever get as hot as it is supposed to. It is rated at 220V and 1200W and it is plugged into a power strip into a 120v wall outlet. Is there anything i can do (120v-220v converter or something like that) to get this thing to work to its fullest potential or even just to it's intended specifications?

Thanks,

Sam

 

[jackorocko]

So I take it you have no way to get 220V in your dorm room? Any heavy duty appliances around with a 4 prong plug?

 

[SammyZee56]

I don't think so. Can one buy a converter or something like that? and if not, what would the repercussions of having an outlet that is lower voltage than the device?

 

[jackorocko]

I don't think so. Can one buy a converter or something like that? and if not, what would the repercussions of having an outlet that is lower voltage than the device?

1. Yes
2. If the stove is purely resistive in nature, then not a whole lot.

 

[(*steve*)]

If the element can produce 1200W at 220V, it will produce around 300W as 110V.

So it will take many times longer to heat up, possibly never reaching a useful temperature.

A step-up transformer would work, but finding one rated for 1200W might be a big ask.

 

[jackorocko]

Yeah, a 1200W transformer is gonna cost you probably $200 or more. Get a refund!

http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/12.8-100/12.8-100-ND/1984719 These aren't even the correct V, but a ~1200VA transformer is easily $200

 

[BobK]

The real question is why did you buy a 220V appliance when your mains are 120V?

Bob