Those of you who follow our lives know that we’ve been in the process of packing up to move from California to Scotland. In the process we’re discovering which devices will work well (laptops, razor, 1960’s sewing machine), and those which will not (hair dryer, curling iron … Kitchenaid). Yes – the Kitchenaid draws down a whopping 475 watts of 110 volts, and because it’s “Electronic” rather than simply “Electric,” we’d have to get a transformer (it’s got a computer in it). In order to convert that power to 220 (the UK standard), we’d have to get a good transformer … which leads me to some strange thoughts.
I’m not lamenting the loss of the Kitchenaid, per se. If I were, I could’ve shelled out the £60 & bought a transformer. No, it’s not really about the Kitchenaid, you see; it’s about having finally felt that my baking was worth paying $300 on a gadget whose sole purpose in life was to mix things. And it’s about caring enough about the silly thing to leave it behind, rather than run the risk of blowing it up on the other end.
Much of this move process has been about determining what’s important to us, and in determining who we are. Are we people who really need this gadget, or that gadget? Do we need as many dishes as we own? Why have we been carting this stuff around with us for so long (“because it was a gift”)?
It’s rather funny, actually: we’d been clearing away so much that we’ve only managed to put together around 80 cubic feet to be shipped … and we’ve paid for 200! So we’re kind of feeling pressured to add things, just because we paid for the shipping already. We’ll see what ends up happening, here, but I’m thinking that we’re just going to end up … carrying less stuff. And, if that’s all we really need and want? Well, life’s going to be much less cluttered on the other end.
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California to Scotland, I think you’ll be in for a shock. Make sure you’ve got Wellies and waterproofs!
Last time I was in the US I got really excited about seeing Kitchenaids for $300 rather than the £300 (or $600!) it would cost me here – until a friend pointed out to me the voltage power thingy. Maybe it was for the best, I think airport security would have gone crazy had I tried to take one with me on a plane…
it has been a good friend. plus it is so darn cute in that color! if you don’t want to store it, maybe it can be donated to some sort of kitchen/bakery that teaches people how to get back on their feet by baking/cooking. because by the time you get back there will be a new and improved version that you may be tempting!
I think that it is so great that you are able to just let go of stuff. I live with a pack rat and I am both looking forward to and dreading the day that we finally move.
I remember my KitchenAid… purchased with points from a large grocery store. It was white (the only colour they had) and to make it “me” I had cut out black mac-tack and made it look like a dairy cow 🙂 I just gave it up to my oldest daughter, I cried (well not really but I felt like it). But I was de-cluttering my kitchen and with something “new” coming in, something “old” must go out, that was my Bosch and I’m lovin’ it much more than my old KitchenAid! You’ll find something better!!
It’s gone to a good home – to our friends whom we visited when they were living in Holland. They’ll make good use of it … and, surprisingly, own a Bosch and really can’t stand it! I’m totally surprised at that, but we determined that it wasn’t the right model or something. Probably like buying one of the other-than-professional Kitchenaids.
After you’ve remodeled your house & changed your floors … you come to truly HATE having “stuff.” We’d just finished remodeling the floors, so this isn’t that traumatic. We got rid of so much then… that it’s much easier now.
Back to it, though. Three days ’til the movers come!
I had to go thru the same thing earlier this year when I moved from NYC to Sydney. I think I gave away or threw away about half of our belongings. I was crushed to leave my KitchenAid (and blender, and food processor, and juicer…) behind. Those actually went into storage, so I’ll have them when I go back. I did wind up getting a KitchenAid here, and it was twice the price of a US one. Yikes!
I was watching Ming Tsai this evening & saw him using his Cuisinart … and vowed that I’m going to follow Kylie Kwong, instead, and get a big old Mortar and Pestle, rather than an electronic gadget. No More Leaving Behind Appliances!
Cuisinart.
Bread Slicer.
Kitchenaid.
Hand Mixer.
Blender.
Stick Blender.
Toaster.
Coffee Grinder.
At least the scale is battery powered! And the timer is wind-up!