Moving from India to the US: what to pack for the kitchen

Bring

• Pressure cookers. No plug, so they work anywhere. Check whether the base works on induction if you don't know your stove yet. Pack a spare gasket.
• Tawa, kadai, steel plates and tiffins. They work on gas, coil and glass stoves. Flat bases are best.
• Puttu kudam, appachatty, kal chatti, idli stands, presses, chakla belan, boti. All plug-free. A rounded appachatty needs a gas stove. See the regional kitchen guides.

Leave behind

• Wet grinders. A transformer can't fix the 50Hz motor. 110V models are sold here: see wet grinders.
• Kettles, irons, rice cookers, roti makers, induction cooktops. They draw too much power to run sensibly on a transformer, and US versions are widely available.

Think twice

• Mixer grinders. A 230V mixer works through a 2,000–3,000W step-up transformer. If it's new and you'll use it daily, a 110V model bought here is simpler and comes with a US warranty. Use the calculator to decide.

Food items

Declare all food at US customs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection publishes what travelers can bring, and the rules for seeds, meat and fresh produce are strict.

First week in the US

Before you buy anything with a cord, read the rating plate. The checker tells you in a few seconds. For your chargers, a plug adapter is all you need.