Oreck XL21

[sleepdoc]

Rick set me up with a titanium Oreck XL21 upright. This is my first Oreck, and it's a pretty nice vacuum. I had to run to my family's house right after I picked it up, but I'll be happy to post pics if anyone wants to see them. Thanks, Rick!

Patrick

 

[vinvac]

Pictures...

Yes, We would like to see pictures.

I just repaired an Oreck for a co-worker. They are very simple in design and very easy to repair. My sister has the top of the line.. I believe instead of 8lbs it is 9lbs. It works very well, as far as a deep cleaner, I am guessing not, but I love the bag dock system. Their Hepa bags also seem to be very good. My sister is not the best housekeeper and she has put that Oreck thru the paces and yet it seems to keep going.

The one I repaired is the low end model, no bells or whistles, not even a headlight. However the same motor that the top of the line uses and I beleive the same brushroll, so for $200 as compared to the 875.00 my sister spent, for basically the same cleaning power, I would stay with the low end model. The little canister that came with it works OK until you actually pick up dirt, the bags clogs very quickly.

That is my Oreck experience. I would love to have one for my collection.

Morgan

 

[vacjwt]

oreck I see them in the trash ALL THE TIME BUT NEVER PICK TH

to me it is not anything more then a over priced electric broom that is the vacuum I fix the most
electric brooms last longer

 

[tolivac]

The yard sale one I got yesterday-fancase broke-and the outer bag ripped-looks like the machine was used commercially-The paper bag burst inside the cloth bag-what a mess-slurped out ther debris with the NSS M1-and out of the Oreck came coins,paper clips,nails and tacks,and some screws-no wonder the fancase was broke-the fan is OK.The motor runs well.Orecks are fun little vacuums if you can pay low prices for them.The list prices on them is obscene!You can buy a Kirby for the price of the "hi end" Oreck.the little hand vac is useless-as well as clogging after picking up dirt-some of the dirt it picks up gets thru the bag and tiny motor filter-and is blown back into the area you are trying to clean.My Oreck mini canister languishes in the back of the closet.Also the motors in the little Oreck canisters can overheat quickly if the bag or hose is clogged-and burning out.the vac hospital here has a few examples of that.The owners don't want them repaired.They then go to the "vacuum cleaner" graveyard.the Oreck upright is OK-if you get it at a low price.They do have HEPA bags for them-would like to try them in the few Orecks I have.Got one new years ago-others were trade ins toward Kirby and TriStar.

 

[sleepdoc]

XL21

Morgan, the motor in the XL21 is not the same motor used in the less expensive machines. It's a LOT quieter and more powerful. It has a larger fan. The fill tube diameter is larger (significant reduction in airflow resistance). It pushes very easily on the carpet, in contrast to the other models, which do not push easily.

I've never been an Oreck fan (no pun intended). I have not regarded them very highly, and I stand by my former thoughts about the machines. I have some pretty serious machines in my collection, and never thought I'd have any interest in an Oreck. The XL21 changed my mind. I haven't put it through the ropes yet cuz I needed to head home right away and just took a few minutes to run it around my family room. I think this is gonna turn out to be a pretty decent machine.

It's an attractive machine, "Titanium". I'll post some pics later. I'm at the family home now but will be back in stl later on.

Patrick

 

[vinvac]

Good information.

I have had my sisters apart, the fan has sharp edges and tends to clog when you pick up paper. I would have ordered just a normal fan as the part describes it fitting all Orecks. Hers is the Titanium model as well, very sharp looking vacuum. It still only has the 4 amp motor, two speed, I think what they did to make it quieter is place foam filtering materials over the ventalation holes and placed a heat activated (heat from the motor) aroma pad to that same area. They are considerably quieter than the cheaper models.

The larger fill tube does help and make the handle stronger as well.

 

[sleepdoc]

maybe

The motor might be the same; I can't prove it isn't. But, the fan is different.

I like the machine, pretty cool.

 

[swingette]

i doubt the xl21's fan is the same. many describe the original fan as "for all models" since the xl21 is still kinda new. it BETTER be different. one of the original orecks flaws is the lousy airflow.

looking forward to your pics, patrick.

 

[vinvac]

Fan

After looking at Hesco, You are right the fan is probably different, they don't even have a part number. I talked with Rick A and he said the motor is different as well. My sisters indicates that it is a 4 amp, but Rick thinks the motor is an improved version.

I do like the machine, and if it can stand up to my sister it can take anything.

 

[sleepdoc]

xl21 fan

The standard oreck fan is metal and smaller than the XL21 fan, which is a pretty sturdy plastic and larger.

 

[compactc9]

All of the current Oreck fans are made of the plastic material they call Metaxalloy. The older standard fans used to be metal.

 

[earlieone]

I too am not a great Oreck fan but received the new x21in black as a gift. I am pretty impressed. It's light weight, quiet and grooms the carpet(even low pile) very well. Funny they send you a paper bag for use first. They tell you to vacuum your carpet with your old vacuum first, then use the oreck. They tell you to remove the Oreck bag and cut it open to see all the stuff your old vacuum misses. There was nothing in the bag - at all. In there defence I have low berber style carpet and vacuum at least once a day with various vacuums - but got a kick out of there claims. I also took it apart and took the belt off so I could turn it on and check the suction. Not bad at all. I still think of it as my electrik broom and use it daily for quick p/u
robb

 

[tolivac]

Paper and modern plastic vacuum fans--not a good combination-do not allow a wad of paper to abrade against a plastic vacuum fans for a moment-that is enough time for the paper to abrade the fan!I have had this happen in a kirby.Paper is abrasive-Kaolin,or ground sand can be added to paper slurry mixes while it is being made to give the paper"tooth" so it can be written or printed on and hold the print.If you pick up paper and hear it rubbing the plastic fan-shut the vacuum down right away and take out the paper-you will save your fan-Metal fans are not affected by paper.There is supposed to be an Oreck dealer opening here in town soon-will check out the new Oreck XL21.the present dealer doesn't have them.-Greenville radio-TV Appliance.

 

[sleepdoc]

Update

I'm still enjoying this vacuum. I think it's a solid machine, so far. Rick Asquith can share a lot of insight on how other owners like theirs. Also, his cohort, Kathy, is lots of fun. I think the whole club should take a field trip to the Ladue Oreck store on a Tuesday when Katya, the store's private celebrity, comes to visit Kathy. She's very entertaining!

 

[kirbyultimateg]

I wonder how well the Oreck XL21 does on medium pile nylon plush carpet.

 

[kirbyultimateg]

I have a Sanitaire SC679 with 5.0 amp blender motor with short fan blades and VGI with one row of brushes and one row of beater bars and Micron outer bag with FilterAire inner bag.
It does very well on medium pile nylon plush carpet!
It has 120cfms and 78 decibels and 6 position Dial A Nap.