Anyone know anything about Oreck Vacuums?

[03protege]

(I posted this in the tools section, I guess this is a tool)

So the wife, who is not very domesticated, has oddly enough been wanting an Oreck Vacuum since she moved out of her parents house for college some 8 years ago. And despite asking for it for birthdays and Christmas since then she still does not have it.

Well I have been slacking on my gift giving (apparently she doesn't appreciate electronics and tools quite like I do) so she told me this year she wants a nice present (aka don't eff up again).

So with that being said I went online to order her the damn Oreck vacuum of her dreams and I have been confronted with a dilemma.

Commercial or consumer grade?

With my limited experience of vacuums I have found the commercial grade to be vastly soupier in durability. Oddly the Commercial grade units can be found online cheaper than the consumer grade.

With my OCD I always overspend for commercial/professional quality tools when I have the option to but in this case I cannot tell the difference between the two, except one has a longer cord. The info on the website doesn't hint to any mechanical superiority either.

Consumer:
https://www.oreck.com/xl-classic-vacuum-cleaner/702.html?start=6&cgid=Oreck-Upright-Vacuum-Cleaners

Commercial:
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ore...-hUKai1T0wmMQb0jFgMSK9LMGqwkCDF8FRBoCqgXw_wcB
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/ore...K5ZBERVAccLIBjr0-F3vNPlReLqw-9fSnEBoC9mjw_wcB

 

[stihlntime]

Bought my wife one. Junk motor is about the size of a hair dryer. We have since bought a Panasonic bagels it kicks azz better than her old Kirby ten times better than oreck.Next one will be a Melo (German ) saw a demo unbelievable but at 800.00 they should be.Not impressed with Dyson either.

 

[ttpete]

If you want top of the line, consider Miele vacuums. Not cheap, but top rated. They're extremely quiet. http://www.mieleusa.com/Product/List/51

 

[gungatim]

I have an oreck, I assume it's consumer grade since it came with the small portable one as well. Have had it for some 10+ yrs.

Like all vacuums, it's overrated and expensive for what it is. But like you, wife was convinced she had to have it, after "having to have" all the other popular hyped gimmick vacs out there.

It has not once broken down, and you can clean the beater bar like you could the old Hoover uprights of th 70's...actually, I think I replaced a bearing on one end once that overheated being clogged with hair and ****...it was std from hardware store so that's a plus.

bags are expensive, Order a years worth online off epay. waaay cheaper that way.

I don't think the commercial ones are much different from what I've seen, just metal body's and better grade of bag.

incidently, you can modify the plastic where the bag goes on to use the cheaper "non-notched" version of the bag, or just cut notches in the cardboard of the bags, either way, they are much cheaper that way and come in bulk (I assume they are the commercial bags, they notch the other ones, unless someone knows different)

 

[03protege]

I had a Dyson and he whole thing is molded plastic ****, gave me much frustration.

I'll look at those other ones but I think I will never live it down if I give her a vacuum that isn't an Oreck.

 

[Barrymaxx]

The aluminum handle will crack where it meets the shank right at the top of the bag. I guarantee it. Ive seen it happen to 7 or 8 of them. Commercial or not its the same handle if I remember correctly.

But the handle is a pretty easy fix with a drill and some bolts. Otherwise there pretty solid vacuums. Super simple/old school. Change the bags and burn up an occasional belt and thats about it.

 

[Zeke]

I had a Dyson and he whole thing is molded plastic ****, gave me much frustration.

I'll look at those other ones but I think I will never live it down if I give her a vacuum that isn't an Oreck.

This^^^ — don't fight the current, just go with the flow. They do OK enough of a job that you could do worse. Consumer Reports has never given an Oreck even a 50 out of 100, but don't let that mislead you because the highest ratings were like 71 while the lowest were in the 30's.

For those searching for any vac that is high rated the Kenmore's were cheap to buy with the highest ratings except for a couple of European models.

 

[engineer2]

In regular vacuums, the vacuum motor ***** debris into a bag or canister.
I don't know if they all are this way, but the Oreck I worked on was unique in that anything sucked up went through the vacuum impeller and then was blown into the bag. They seem to work fine, but anything larger than a pen cap might not digest well.

 

[franzdom]

I have had an Oreck since the 80's and it's really nice. I don't know what they are like now and we don't use it that often but it is still running really strong. I think it's a commercial XL. The best thing about it is how light it is.

 

[Monte]

if she likes upright vacuums:

Sebo - Made in Germany

Lindhaus - Made in Italy

 

[orb27]

If she has been wanting an Oreck, get an Oreck. Anything else (even if it is 10 times better) will be a major mistake.
Sorry, I don't know anything about their commercial vs. consumer models.

 

[engineer2]

If she has been wanting an Oreck, get an Oreck. Anything else (even if it is 10 times better) will be a major mistake.

Agree. Give the lady what she wants and never borrow it for the garage.

 

[gi bro]

We have had the residential model for 10 years and still kicking. I do like the shark better though. The lift away is awesome

 

[mmack66]

They ****.

 

[oldldh]

They ****.

Don't they all????

Buy the lady what she wants...

If her opinion is wrong (brainwashed by the TV ads), let her change the brand she likes...

I've had 'em all, and the Kenmores last about 10-12 years, and then I buy another one...

Don't take it into the garage or your shop...

Buy a shop vacuum, they're cheap enough...

 

[yhprum]

I have had the XL for at least ten years. No dramas, works as advertised. The lighter weight probably means it gets used more often.

 

[kctyphoon]

i have an Orek XL, a Kirby, a Shark Navigator, and a Miele.

the Miele is one of the best (and cleanest operating) vaccums on the market. like someone else mentioned - if she WANTS an Oreck just cause thats what she wants - then just get it and be done with it.. if she WANTS a really good vaccum - thats another story..

if you want the Oreck, get the consumer model.. the red one has to do with being fire retardent i think (dont ask, i dont know why) ...

the oreck is pretty good at cleaning floors and carpets. its major selling point is the weight because it is amazingly light. also - it uses a bag which works great - ill never buy another bagless vaccum - and i have about $2000+ worth of vaccums in my house. another thing is the motor is in the head of the vaccum, so it helps reduce weight, increase suction but the Oreck's real source of cleaning power is the high speed beater brush - which is actually more important on carpets than just high suction. where the Oreck falls short is no attachments, which is why they use to give you a hand held model for free.. the bags can be a pain in the *** to change sometimes, and it has hard plastic wheels which dont sound the best while being used on wood floors. they never visibly scratched mine, but its not a sound that inspires confidence. after using the Oreck for a long time, i just got tired of it, and bought the Shark, and then the Miele.. the Miele is made in Germany, wins almost every cleaning constests magazines put them through, and is a great GREAT machine - BUT - its a little heavy. However, it stores all the attachments on board, also uses a bag, and comes with / or can be upgraded to a HEPA filter depending which model.. if you have pets - this is the brand you want, but they arent cheap either.. $400-$600, but actually worth it, unlike a Dyson.

one important thing to be said about vaccum advertising. - being advertised as having a HEPA filter means absolutely ****.. that only means the filter is "capable" of that filtration level, but NOT while being "used" in the vaccum. for the vaccum to fliter air at a HEPA level while being used - awards the machine a higher certificate that i cant remeber right now, but only those machines actually fliter the air - many cheaper vaccums actually pollute the air with dust, some very heavily. the Miele fills this standard.. if you have pets, and/or kids,you really should invest in a good vacuum.

this is the Miele i own.. its the best cleaning vacuum out of all i have. i spent hours deciding on what brand model to buy.. show her this video.. this is the base model, the cat and dog model (which wins every contest) has only 3 differences, it comes with a Hepa filter (you can repace this model's with the Hepa), it comes with a headlight, and comes with a turbo brush for the wand. the Turbo brush is a $70 item, but you can buy a cheap one that works just as well for like $25 on ebay or amazon. i can live w/o the headlight - but i did upgrade to the Hepa fliter (bought from amazon or ebay) which gets rid of the dog smell from the vacuum.

Dyson vs Miele - this is a must watch

 

[Schleprock]

I thought buying the wife a vacuum for ANY "special" occasion was a death sentence. It's like answering them when they ask "does this make me look fat?"

 

[technician]

Excellent discussion on all things vacuum.

Riccar is a premium US made brand.

 

[JR 42]

We've had an Oreck XL at work for about eight years now, and it works fine. We don't use it too much, though... housekeeping chores tend to be neglected around here.

Its main advantages are the long cord and very light weight. I've had it apart a couple times to replace belts and clear clogs (don't overfill the bag, coworkers), and it's dead simple to disassemble and clean. I like that it's not overloaded with features (adjustable height, 19 attachments you'll never use, dirt sensors that get dirty and don't work, etc. etc.).

Its only downside for our use is the lack of a wand attachment to attack the dust giraffes in the corners and under racks.

Bear in mind that if you've got newer fancy-fiber carpet, you might not want a traditional beater bar vacuum.

JR

 

[panknuckshovel]

Take it for what its worth, but I am sure their is a good reason why Holiday Inn uses Oreck.

 

[georgiadave]

I think buying a vacuum cleaner as a gift has it's hazards.

 

[03protege]

Thanks for the advice guys! I will update you in a couple weeks to whether or not I messed up buying the vacuum but I am pretty sure this is what she wants.

I went with the Oreck XL Commercial, she wanted an Oreck (what her mother loves) so if it had been anything else I would have chosen wrong. Perhaps when this one breaks she will be interested in looking at other ones.

I am already thinking I should have bought the one with the soft wheels but oh well.

 

[franzdom]

That looks close enough to the one I bought in 1990, she will love it!!!

 

[ryanm]

If she has been wanting an Oreck, get an Oreck. Anything else (even if it is 10 times better) will be a major mistake.
Sorry, I don't know anything about their commercial vs. consumer models.

gets my vote!

 

[cat06]

looks good, but if you can return it, go over and look at her mothers and get the model number, even take a picture. reason being if anything happens or go's wrong with it or it doesn't pick up very well.
You will get "it's not the same one my mother has, you should have looked at hers and got one like it"

 

[rowerwet]

Got an oreck when we got married. Used it for five years, thanks to the hype I sold it on fleabay for way more than it was worth.I think they are a great idea for the 90's but have been passed by.
My parents have newer and older ones, I'm still not impressed.
We got a rainbow, it does the best job IMO. We had it for 9 years and still do. However our old pipes can't handle that much hair and dirt, so we also got a dyson.
Four months later the Dyson is doing fine, we have a big old house, many visitors and four kids. The Tyson gets as much dirt up as the rainbow, in weekly use.
I will never own another vacuum with a bag ( oreck, etc) the bag holds the dirt but the fine stuff gets blown right back into the room. Bagless vacs you dump it all after each cleaning or more depending on the dirt collected.

 

[Thresher]

Independent source for certified vacuums:

http://www.carpet-rug.org/CRI-Testi...al-Program/Vacuums/Certified-Vacuums.aspx#Top



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[biowrench]

I will never own another vacuum with a bag ( oreck, etc) the bag holds the dirt but the fine stuff gets blown right back into the room. Bagless vacs you dump it all after each cleaning or more depending on the dirt collected.

The HEPA has to catch the fines either way, but I detest emptying the canister and seeing all that **** going back into the air, all over the garbage can, my hands, itself...

 

[Todd.Brock]

The HEPA has to catch the fines either way, but I detest emptying the canister and seeing all that **** going back into the air, all over the garbage can, my hands, itself...

I too agree with this. I take the canister outside , put it in a shopping bag and tie it up and trash it. Every so often I hold my breath and shoot some compressed air
At it.

 

[onarant]

We have had ours for about 15 years now. Still runs like a champ. I buy brushes belts and bags form amazon, not genuine Oreck, but the work great and are much cheaper. If it ever dies, I'll buy another one in a heartbeat. Mine is consumer grade.

 

[kctyphoon]

my Oreck XL has been demoted to the basement.. the lack of attachments, and the smell of dog hair were the real deciding factors for me. the Miele twist is the best vac ive ever bought.. the cord is longer - i can plug it in the middle on my house and clean the enitre first floor without having to unplug (its a 40' cord), not including the additional 12' or 15' of reach from the hose, which you can actually use without tipping the vac over..

the shark navigator is good, so long as you dont have pets.. the hose it useless unless your using it within a 5' radius of the vac, otherwise it just tips over... pet hair clogs this vac all the time, and the smell that comes out is horrible.. i have to wash out the canister, and leave it and the hose soaking in a sink filled with bleach to get rid of the odor.. that vac has been demoted to a single room to clean up cat litter..

if my miele broke today, i would buy another tommow... the HEPA filter makes a HUGE and noticable difference with the smell of pet hair.. it has a charcoal segment that helps remove any odor, and between the filter, and 7 layer (i think) bags - it is one of the most higly filtered machines you can buy.