Black Oreck XL

[cam2s]

Acquired a somewhat unusual Oreck model the other day. It’s all black with the helping hand model, but a foot mounted on/off switch. Otherwise pretty standard fair for an Oreck. Last owner used the inside of the cloth bag to store extra paper bags instead of the pocket on the back of it. Had a plastic baggie stuck in the suction tube, otherwise was in pretty good shape.

 

[madman]

I've never seen inside of an Oreck before. It kinda looks like a cheap piece of crap. But I suppose their schtick was being lightweight, so it makes sense to be a as simply and sparing as possible.

 

[huskyvacs]

Wow, I have never seen the inside of an Oreck either, and seconding MadMan's remarks! I get it's only supposed to be 9lb without cord, but I mean there's really not much in there! Could store another vacuum in it! lol

 

[fan-of-fans]

Me third. It kinda reminds me of a power nozzle with a fan on the motor. Which I believe that's what the original versions of these basically were when they sold under the Whirlpool and Kenmore names. Then Oreck got the design.

 

[thermopkid]

Oreck XL 21

I have a Oreck xl21 and I think it is a wonderful vacuum for as light weight as it is.. And I didn't like Orecks till I got this XL 21. It is good for quick pickups. Then I don't have to get out the Kirby.... Dan

 

[kirbyklekter]

My friend has one and

IT'S LOUD!!! No problems and it's his only vac, for the 12 yrs he's had it.Oh, did I mention IT'S LOUD!!

 

[kloveland]

That's an earlier XL.

with lower amps so it should be a little quieter. I used to have a commercial version with the 2.8 amp motor. Still worked decently on lower pile carpets.

 

[huskyvacs]

Orecks do great on low pile carpet, they struggle with thicker piles, but they will groom it nicely. My grandmother in Nevada had an Oreck and I used it a couple times and I kind of fell in love with them. Maybe it's just mine, but I think a lot of the loudness is just the motor vibrating the plastic to death, it seems to vibrate less if you push down on the hood when the vacuum is on.

 

[eurekaprince]

I still hope one day Miele will create a great lightweight upright that can outperform an Oreck - using their experience with great filtration and effective sound muffling. Would make a great companion to a Miele suction only canister.

 

[rivstg1]

Me fourth

I too have never seen the insides of an Oreck. I just sold my xl21 last night and my first vac I'd ever bought ( xl 9100 from '97). The xl21 was a little lower amp model, they weren't quiet by any means, but not excessively loud. After getting used to Kirbys and rainbows, the pitch of Orecks just didn't appeal to me. They sure are lightweight to use

 

[kirbyklekter]

For a machine that doesn't have any height adjustment

it does a decent job on his wool blend carpet. It's a lot quieter on the lower speed but then... The pin that you push in to lock the two pieces of the handle together, or poles, don't protrude through the hole far enough to lock them together any more.We tried to press duct tape against the back of the pin to hold it in place with limited success. It's light enough to use on carpeted stairs and he says,the owner, that only three belt changes in 12 years.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I had to run one

several times at my last job, when we were being 'downsized'.
I thought it odd/humorous when the back of the handle read,"WHEN the tube clogs........." Not IF, but WHEN.
My former boss loved Oreck vacuums.

 

[kirbyklekter]

...and they do clog big time

Pretty easy to clean out. I just learned that of the five screws that bolt up the metal plate on the bottom, if the middle screw, there are two front and two rear, if the middle screw is missing the machine won't stand up and lock. I've got a commercial Oreck that never locked in the upright position, like your tray on an airline, and I'm hoping when I dig it out it will be missing that screw! Easy fix!