Won an Oreck XL21!

[s_matt37]

Hi everyone! Before I start, let me just say that I really like Vacuumland! There is so much knowledge here it's not even funny Anyway, I just won an auction for an Oreck XL21 700ECB. Its the black model. Anyway, I am pretty excited to get it, as I have wanted one since I was a little kid and saw the infomercials where they ran it over with a truck, and also how it survived hurricane Katrina. Does anybody actually own one? And, if so, what do you think of it?

 

[ctvacman]

Love it, aside from the tacony lightweights its a power house. The only negetive is the brushroll is a small diameter so it wraps with hair quickly. Also buy a new brush roll for it every couple years.

 

[s_matt37]

@ctvacman, I thought they were pretty good. Has anybody done a performance test between a regular (Classic, XL2, 9100, etc) Oreck and an XL21 type (Pilot, Axis, XL21, Forever Series Gold, Platinum)? It would be interesting to see which one did better.

 

[ctvacman]

I can tell you hands down the 21/ platinum series does better than the old style all around. Plus you get all those tune ups every year, granted you have a shop that knows how to do them well.

 

[henrydreyfuss]

Much Better Oreck

The XL21 made a lot of improvements to the original design. Bigger fan, more aggressive brushroll, larger dirt path, and it's significantly quieter than the older models. Not a perfect vacuum, but a huge improvement, and pleasant to use. I've owned 2 over the years, and kept the second one. I wonder if they make HEPA bags for them now?

 

[s_matt37]

HEPA bags

I am pretty sure that they do. I was looking online for bags and they have Odor Eliminating HEPA bags on oreck.com, but they are expensive at $34.99 for only eight! I can't wait for mine to arrive sometime next week.

http://www.oreck.com/hepa-odor-fighting-vacuum-cleaner-bags/111.html?cgid=vacuum-bags&start=10

 

[blackheart]

I've got one too.

I purchased my 21 from my favorite vacuum shop, it was missing the zipper from the outer bag so i purchased it for $50 and hand sewed a new zipper onto it with a lighter fishing wire. It's always been one of my go to vacuums perhaps because i spent a fair amount of time working on it. Performance wise it's surpassed by the Tacony built lightweights but i find it's handle and sound more pleasant.

 

[vac-o-matic]

I worked in an Oreck store part time for 8 yrs. and the Hepa bags have been around for a long time. First they were gray, similar to the "new" odor fighting bags from Kirby, then they went white, and I think they were better. A couple of weeks ago I visited the store where I worked to get a charcoal filter for my air purifier and they just got an order in from Oreck. The bags have changed material/color again, the new one being kinda purple/magenta-ish, 5 layers, and nothing in print about them fighting odors, and get this only 6 in the newly designed box, and went up 2 bucks! I asked the mgr. if they were the new odor fighting bags and he said yes, but hadn't read the box, but nothing mentioned about fighting odors. I have a shedding dog, so I really appreciated them. Sooo, I go out to a friends vacuum shop who normally orders my bags for me, and low and behold, the new ones came in, from Oreck, and nothing about odor fighting on them either, ugh. Oy vey, thank God I don't pay retail. Thank you TTI!

Devin, I hear ya about the noise comparison between the Tacony versions and the XL21. I found the green one like in the above pic in a thrift store for 20 bucks, and nothing wrong with it. While it cleaned well, it was louder and seemed to have a higher pitch to the motor. I took it out to the shop I frequent and they tore it down to check the fan, again, nothing wrong. I resold the RSL3 I believe it was. When I use the XL21, my dog doesn't freak, but if I use one of the other Orecks, and when I used the Tacony version, she left the room! There is something pleasing to me with the sound of the XL21, the original. Once they changed to the Platinums, the plastics became cheaper as well as the bag material. Thanks again TTI!

 

[s_matt37]

Paper CELOC bags

@vac-o-matic do the paper CELOC bags filter well?

 

[thermokid]

This is going to be weird

because I absolutely hate Orecks BUT I have a XL21 and I absolutely love it. It is very powerful and very quiet... I also bought the newer version Pilot I think it is called. and the only thing about it that I don't like is the swivel of the head on the handle.. But other then that I love this one too...Who would think I would ever love orecks being a stricht Kirby man......LOL

 

[daknx1994]

Oreck is getting ready to release redesigned uprights. They are pretty much built around the same platforms. A redesigned classic, XL21, and Pilot. That is the reason for the new bags. Also the old green paper and current white hepa bags will not be forward compatible with the new units as they have redesigned the bag dock with an additional notch. The current green paper and white hepa bags are being discontinued so buy up the old stock at the lower prices while you can.

 

[sheetstyler]

LOVE MINE!!!!

I currently own two Oreck XL 21 and love them both. My first one one I got at a thrift for $15 and was hesitant on its performance but may I just say after I bought it my mind was changed instantly. This Oreck is the polar opposite of all other Orecks. I am not a fan of Orecks myself but this actually deep cleans being that is has a really stiff brushroll unlike all other Orecks. It is sturdy, unlike any other Oreck. Has a bigger fan, UNLIKE any other Oreck. It also has nice carry handle on the back of it. This is also the only Oreck that I actually got dirt in the bag after using it. After being so impressed by its performance I went to the restore one day and fount another one and bought it in a heart beat. Love this vacuum a bunch and is the only Oreck I would recommend.

 

[durango159]

I tried a couple over the years and still had allergy spasms during use like I did with prior Orecks. Shame because the XL-21 looked really sleek and the infommercials looked really good. But another Oreck product I can't use.

The Riccar SupraLites are a really nice series though. I have no problems with my allergies when using the Riccars!

 

[s_matt37]

I got the vacuum in the mail yesterday. My initial impressions were very good. I can't believe how quiet this is! I didn't know that there was a quiet Oreck. I stripped it all down to the motor, and wash and sanitized everything. I stayed up until 11 last night putting it all back together (everything but the outer bag and handle). I love this vacuum! It is really quiet, and feels like it's really powerful. It actually lifts up the carpet. And, other than being super quiet, it feels really nice to use. I will post pictures of before and after soon.

 

[s_matt37]

Before Pictures