is it possible? 1600W step-down transformer so tiny!

Ooh, how much? That's pretty.

It might work... make sure you have homeowners or renters insurance.

What kind of cooker? Can't you just use the stove? Or buy a new cooker? Which would be cheaper?

My understanding is that the tiny converters are basically TRIAC switches which switch at a point to deliver the correct amount of RMS power (but a really funky waveform) to a purely resistive load.

They are not good for sensitive electronics. They might not even be good for a hairdryer's blower. But, assuming your cooker is just a big resistive load I think it'll be OK.

I had a co-worker with a "fuzzy logic" rice cooker once and always kidded him about having to reboot it. So at least some cookers have some smarts in them and not all are just stupid resistors!

Tim.

Aw, no microwave ovens then? Pity...

The 50W rating is for a 3 minute shave.....

The 1600W figure is Peak Shaving Power Output, PSPO.

DNA

Note that the power converter (it is not a transformer) isn't rated for continuous use. I'm not sure whether your cooker application constitutes 'continuous use' - but if it does, prepare to be disappointed.

What sort of things do you cook with a 1235 watt cooker???. That's nearly a third of my electric kettle!!

You sure the rating is not 12350 watts which would be more reasonable. As someone else hinted - get yourself a £29.99 800W 240V microwave, much safer and more efficient!

Hi guys, thanks for the great response. Perhaps I should have been more specific.. Its a pizza style oven -

Kind regards, James.

My understanding is, that some of the cheaper '230 to 115 volt converters' just contain a diode. Which indeed halfs the applied power :-)

Do you get what you pay for ? Sure. Peanuts for monkeys :-)

Just one word of advice: DON'T :-)

Note that it says 'converter', not 'transformer'. These units are basically solid state switchers. They can work well, but with a lot of caveats. Many units expecting a particular waveform, will hate them. Also, a 'cooker', that is rated at 1235W when running, will typically draw many times this rating for a few seconds whenever the element switches on. Whereas a transformer can withstand this sort of momentary overload, switchers like this have less margin...

Best Wishes

Yikes, ok so I bought it, its only $10 and I'll take the chance.... Any danger though? Could this cause the convertor to melt/explode/catch fire.....? Thanks again everyone.

If it doesn't have adequate protection and the triac fails short circuit, it could put 240V into your oven, which needless to say will cause a lot of damage or even a fire.

Dave

I would highly recommend investing 10 pounds or so in a good ABC fire extinguisher.

Just a thought.

I'd just watch and make sure it doesn't over heat. It may work. It may not.. I wouldn't be worried about explosion but it could potentialy burn up your pizza cooker's motor.

- Mike

Buy another identical cooker and wire the two in series.

I note that the unit doesn't appear to provide a ground connection. This doesn't exactly give me warm fuzzies...

Also as with any small appliance don't leave it plugged in when not using it due to the danger of fire.

- Mike

And also ruin a perfectly good pizza.

So I'm, uh, guessing that pizza isn't readily available in the UK?