Thread Number: 24538
What's the most powerful/best deep cleaning Kirby? UK 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 274835   4/5/2014 at 03:21 (3,668 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Hi there, as many of you know I am a proud Dyson owner, and I have decided what a Kirby is like. I like the G6 and the G4, but I want to know which is the best and most deep cleaning kirby in the UK? Please give me a few options because I may not like the look of a certain kirby lol.
I am currently using a Dyson DC07 Origin downtairs on thin pile carpets (we will get thicker carpets later on this year) and we are using a Dyson DC04 with very stiff bristes upstairs Below is the link to a video of my DC04

So I am wonderering if a Kirby is good for a 5 bedroom multi floored home with a big family (and kids).

Thank you

CLICK HERE TO GO TO parwaz786's LINK
Post# 274844 , Reply# 1   4/5/2014 at 06:27 (3,668 days old) by ultraperformer (Derbyshire, UK, Europe)        

ultraperformer's profile picture
Do you ever wash your carpets Tayyab, despite daily vacuuming I got a Vax/Hoover US Dual Power last week and was amazed at how dirty the water was and the grit and sand in the dirty water tank, I also got a Floormate deluxe yesterday and have just cleaned all my hard floors and yuk the water was so dirty despite daily vacuuming with the Dyson carbon fibre head and sometimes steam cleaning them!

Post# 274845 , Reply# 2   4/5/2014 at 06:45 (3,668 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Yes, we do wash our carpets. We used to have a pet vax 6140 3 in 1. It was a rubbish washer but an OK vacuum with strong suction and a good wet vac.

Now we find it more efficient to use boiling hot water with shampoo on our carpets, scrubbed in well with a stiff brush/broom and then suck all the water out with a Dyson DC04.
Beat that!

Post# 274847 , Reply# 3   4/5/2014 at 07:02 (3,668 days old) by ultraperformer (Derbyshire, UK, Europe)        

ultraperformer's profile picture
Oh Tayyab!!! Lol you want a carpet washer with aggitation, that Vax I picked up has two rotating brushbars I might do a pic thread of my two new machines later 😀

Dan

Post# 274858 , Reply# 4   4/5/2014 at 09:38 (3,667 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Haha, I might buy an upright carpet washer soon, but our method we are using atm is very good :) :P lol
Anyways, Which Kirby would you recommend? :)

Post# 274861 , Reply# 5   4/5/2014 at 10:01 (3,667 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
The most powerful Kirby...

 sptyks's profile picture

Is the Kirby Sentria. It has more airflow than any previous Kirby due to a redesigned mini emptor and a slightly faster motor. 

 

The Kirby Sentria will out clean and out perform any other vacuum cleaner on the UK market, especially on thick high pile carpet. 

 

Keep in mind the Kirby is a heavy machine (22.5 lbs or 9.9 Kilograms) if you have a multi-level home with stairs.

 


This post was last edited 04/05/2014 at 10:26
Post# 274871 , Reply# 6   4/5/2014 at 12:00 (3,667 days old) by jade_angel (Fort Collins, CO)        

Yeah, the Sentria would be the most powerful. If you can't find an affordable one, though, the G6 is a great machine too.

Post# 274873 , Reply# 7   4/5/2014 at 12:54 (3,667 days old) by matt8808 (Teesside - North East - UK)        

The Sentria2 is supposed to be the best so far.

However TBH they all clean pretty much the same to me.

I currently use a Sentria2 (bought brand new), however I used to have a Ultimate G Diamond Edition (also bought brand new) and haven't noticed any real difference in terms of performance.

Even the older Heritage machines clean well if they're fitted with a new brush bar, belt and bag.

Please however note that Kirby machines are expensive to run.

Years ago I had a used Heritage machine and tried using aftermarket bags and belts in it... the belts didn't last long and the bags kept bursting. Performance was also poor.

A Kirby performs how a Kirby should preform when used with GENUINE Kirby parts.
The newer style HEPA bags from Kirby offer great filtration and superb airflow.

Personally I love my Kirby machine.
I've owned most makes of vacuum... most Dyson models and various SEBO machines ect ect and to me the Kirby is by far the best when it comes to deep cleaning carpets.

You have to get used to a different vacuuming routine though.
If you're going to clean each room individually constantly switching to the tools you will find it a chore and find it takes longer to clean the house...

What I do for example is vacuum the whole of upstairs with the machine in normal mode, then attach the hose (takes seconds) and then go around the upstairs rooms doing any jobs that require the hose such as cat hair on curtains and the edges of carpets. That's upstairs then fully vacuumed but while the hose is still on the machine I'll then do the stairs.
I then take the machine downstairs and do around all the edges and things in all rooms before taking the hose off again and going around all rooms in normal mode.

People say it is a major ball ache not having an on board hose, but if you forward plan your cleaning routine its just as easy as any other machine. As the example above I can vacuum our entire house from top to bottom and use the tools in every room yet I only switch the machine to tool mode the once.

The Kirby shampoo system is very good - I made a review of it on here not long ago - although again like everything else Kirby the shampoo is expensive. I paid £50 for a gallon container of it. The genuine Kirby shampoo works best.
While it is very expensive to buy a little goes a long way. I estimate the £50 gallon bottle would clean an entire standard 4 bedroom house, assuming every room is carpeted, at least 3 times.

To sum it up my Kirby Sentria2 is my only daily driver machine. It has replaced a DC39, DC41 and a Sebo X4. I have kept my Numatic George machine for the cars and messy jobs, but the Kirby has replaced it as a shampooing machine.

You'll find a Kirby a lot heavier than a Dyson and that genuine parts are a lot more expensive. You'll also find it feels rather OTT in terms of size at first... like trying to brush your teeth with a sweeping brush. However once you adjust you'll notice a MASSIVE difference in quality, workmanship and cleaning efficiency compared with anything else you've used.

And in terms of running costs, you do get what you pay for.

Personally I love my Kirby and wouldn't be without it


Post# 274875 , Reply# 8   4/5/2014 at 13:08 (3,667 days old) by matt8808 (Teesside - North East - UK)        
Consumables

When I bought my machine from the local Kirby dealer I also bought spare belts and a pack of bags to keep me going.

3 genuine belts cost £11
6 pack of genuine HEPA bags cost £32.

In 5 days time my Sentria2 will be two months old. It gets used on the entire house around 3 times a week and I haven't had to change the bag yet. Although it has reached the fill line half way up the bag. I'll continue using it until I notice a drop in performance or until the dirt is a lot closer to the inlet of the bag.

If I was to change the bag once it reaches the fill line I'd be looking at a new bag every 2 months. That's one pack of bags a year.
I'm sure I read somewhere that belts are recommended to be changed every 3 months, however I find they last a lot longer.

So in our house I'm looking at a cost of £43 per year for bags and belts.


Post# 274886 , Reply# 9   4/5/2014 at 14:44 (3,667 days old) by Turbo500 (West Yorkshire, UK)        

turbo500's profile picture
I agree with Matt, there is very little between the Kirbys. The good thing about the pre-G series Kirbys is that they're a lot lighter than the newer models and don't require techdrive to push them.

The Heritage 2 Legend has to be my favourite. Photo courtesy of Bnsd60m9200

Post# 274899 , Reply# 10   4/5/2014 at 15:20 (3,667 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
Cheap Kirby Supplies

 sptyks's profile picture

First off, Kirbys draw only about 840 watts so you will save on your electricty used.

 

You can get genuine Kirby bags and belts for a lot less than Matt paid. Here is a link where you can order supplies and they ship world wide.

www.goodvac.com/Kirby_Allergen_UN...

www.goodvac.com/Kirby_brush_rolls...

 

Here is a link for a slightly used mint condition Kirby Sentria (220 volt) ships for free world wide.

www.goodvac.com/220_volt_Kirby_Se...
Post# 274903 , Reply# 11   4/5/2014 at 15:41 (3,667 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Thank you all so much! I think I will go for a G6 as my first choice
Cheers all! Have a great evening
There is a £150 G6 local, I am not paying that much, how much would you pay max?

Post# 274906 , Reply# 12   4/5/2014 at 16:03 (3,667 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        

sptyks's profile picture

That depends greatly on condition. A used G6 can be worth anywhere from 50 to 250 pounds.

Make sure you try it before you buy it. Make sure it has full suction, check brushroll and belt and make sure the Tech Drive functionns normally and that there are no unusual noises from motor or tech drive. Bring a flashlight and check the fan to make sure it is not damaged.
Post# 275008 , Reply# 13   4/6/2014 at 15:57 (3,666 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

alexhoovers94's profile picture
A Kirby is the most powerful carpet cleaner I have used, I have found the G series and Classic series to be pretty equal in performance to be honest. I disagree amount the G series being heavy, it takes hardly any effort to push and pull one on thick carpet as opposed to a Classic series which feels as though it is digging in. For a vacuum anyone could afford and the next powerful, not far off and again for carpet cleaning Hoover Turbopower/Turbomaster and at at a 1/4 off the asking price of a Kirby of the time.


Post# 275012 , Reply# 14   4/6/2014 at 16:08 (3,666 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Cheers Alex, Which Kirby would you recommend? I have a thick bedroom carpet and the rest are thin pile (burber and plush kind of carpets like yours)
I would like one that picks up very very well with excellent suction.
Kind Regards
Tayyab Parwaz

Post# 275013 , Reply# 15   4/6/2014 at 16:11 (3,666 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Ah, but Mr Hoovers94, the Kirby Generation series is heavy to carry. It may well be light to push over a carpet due to the tech drive, but many women sell their Kirbys (that they were pressured into buying) due to them finding it a real struggle to lug them up and down the stairs.

When I was demoing the G4 20 odd years ago, we were told never to let the lady of the house pick the machine up, or the sale could well be lost.

 

(The Lady of the House here, however, would have liked a Kirby to show off with:)
Post# 275015 , Reply# 16   4/6/2014 at 16:18 (3,666 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Oh yes! Wot was that programme called? It was on TV years ago! when I last saw it tho lol

Anyways, I don't mind if a vacuum is hard to push or if it weighs like 2 DC07's, I want a powerful vacuum
I am worried however, as to buying a Kirby with a broken fan? Hope not

Post# 275021 , Reply# 17   4/6/2014 at 16:37 (3,666 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

It was called Keeping Up Appearances. Hyacinth Bucket was a real snob, who had to get one up on the neighbours with better things than they had. She would have most likely to have had a Hoover as they had the Royal Warrant back then. But she may have been a good bet to buy a Kirby, as she could have bragged that she had one of the most expensive vacuum cleaners in the world. Unlike her sister Daisy, Daisy was a slob who would have had a cheap and knackered vacuum, and this was Daisy's house:
Post# 275026 , Reply# 18   4/6/2014 at 17:03 (3,666 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Lol cool! Thank you Steve :)
I would love to see her with a Dyson unless there is a pic or video of he with one?

Post# 275032 , Reply# 19   4/6/2014 at 17:45 (3,666 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
Hi Tayyab,

 sptyks's profile picture

If you do not care about the weight of the Kirby, then I would definitely recommend a G5 or newer because Kirby started using the Amodel fan in the newer machines as opposed to the Lexan fan used in the G3 and G4 machines. You want the Amodel fan as it's almost indestructable. The suction and airflow on the G series machines is unparalleled. You cannot find a more powerful vacuum cleaner!

 

 Who will you be purchasing your Kirby from? Do you know how to inspect the fan to make sure it is in good condition? If the Kirby is a G5 or newer you will most likely be okay.
Post# 275033 , Reply# 20   4/6/2014 at 18:11 (3,666 days old) by AlexHoovers94 (Manchester UK)        

alexhoovers94's profile picture
Ahh yes, the lady of the house whom has a white slimline telephone with automatic last number redial. You must remember she is not one to make a fuss and Elizabeth is always terrified of breaking one of Hyacinth's fine china cups with hand painted periwinkles.

Post# 275034 , Reply# 21   4/6/2014 at 18:21 (3,666 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Thank you :) I don't know how to remove the cleaner head and put it back on to check the fan

Post# 275037 , Reply# 22   4/6/2014 at 18:44 (3,666 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

The lady of the house speaking lol:

 

 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO madabouthoovers's LINK
Post# 275041 , Reply# 23   4/6/2014 at 19:28 (3,666 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        

sptyks's profile picture

Tayyab,

 

It is 3 easy steps to remove the floor nozzle to inspect the fan:

 

1. Raise the headlamp lid all the way up.

2.Turn the Belt Lifter all the way counter-clockwise until the red arrows line up.

 3. Turn the Nozzle latch all the way counter-clockwise and the Floor Nozzle will pull away from the power plant.

 

Now, with a flashlight, you can look through the fan opening. Check all 11 blades of the fan to make sure none are broken.

That's it. Here is a short video that shows how to replace the belt but the first 3 steps are the same as I listed above:
Post# 275054 , Reply# 24   4/6/2014 at 22:45 (3,666 days old) by madabouthoovers ()        

Vacuums on Keeping Up Appearances:

 

Heres a clip of what looks like an old Goblin Soft Bag being used on the show - sadly not by Hyacinth though: (Date of filming 1991)

 

 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO madabouthoovers's LINK
Post# 275056 , Reply# 25   4/7/2014 at 00:13 (3,666 days old) by TASE (Colorado)        

tase's profile picture
Honestly, there is almost no difference between G3 to Diamond Edition machines. Just some cosmetic changes, emptor changes, and a fan change.

Really though, my G3 performed just as well as my Gsix, and my Gsix performs almost as well as my Sentria and Sentria II.

At this point, you are just looking for a Kirby that's in good condition and with a colour scheme you like. Trust me, a good, clean Kirby performs the same as any other clean Kirby. Cleaning them is relatively easy, but it's costly to buy the parts you need the first time. Silicon, Thread-locker, I always, ALWAYS buy a new fan, screw drivers if you don't have them, parts if they need to be replaced.

I bought my Sentria II for about $70, but ended up putting $150 into it.

But yeah, just remember that the Kirby machines from 1990 and forwards are pretty much the same machine with the same performance... Don't buy a G3 though. Their Tech Drive mechanisms always seem to have problems.

EDIT:

Kirbys are pretty much the most expensive vacuums to run though. Luckily, you can get 3 genuine belts for $3 USD here, but that's off eBay. I know that parts in the UK are very expensive. Though, I've spent more on my Dyson than my Kirby Sentria due to the Dyson breaking all the time.

Post# 275091 , Reply# 26   4/7/2014 at 10:48 (3,665 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

I am surprised about your Dyson, Which model is it?

Thank you :) I would probs get a G4, G6 or maybe a G5 or a HII

Post# 275093 , Reply# 27   4/7/2014 at 11:24 (3,665 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
Tayyab,

 sptyks's profile picture

You should stay away from the G4 unless the fan is in very good condition. Or perhaps you are willing to replace the fan with the newer Amodel fan. It is not that hard to do. Otherwise get the G5 or G6. Just my opinion.

 

Once you have purchased your Kirby, be sure to post any questions you have here on Vacuumland. There are many proud Kirby owners on here who will be willing to help you.

 

Good Luck,

 

-Stan
Post# 275102 , Reply# 28   4/7/2014 at 13:34 (3,665 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Ah Thank you Stan :) I think I will get a more stylish machine like the G5
I like the G6 too, I'm gonna search carboots, eBay, Gumtree, Preloved and see which one I will get

Post# 275103 , Reply# 29   4/7/2014 at 13:39 (3,665 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Here's what I found just by typing "Kirby Vacuum", clicking "nearest first" and then never scrolled down

CLICK HERE TO GO TO parwaz786's LINK on eBay


Post# 275106 , Reply# 30   4/7/2014 at 13:59 (3,665 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Parwaz,

 super-sweeper's profile picture

Did you read the description? It mentions that the cleaner does not turn on, and had duct-tape on both the hose and covering a hole in the vacuum. It's best if you review your options first, instead of jumping on the first Kirby that comes up on an eBay search.
Post# 275108 , Reply# 31   4/7/2014 at 14:16 (3,665 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Yes, I have and I am aware of this so I posted it here to have your opinions as to seeing if it's worth it or not

Post# 275110 , Reply# 32   4/7/2014 at 14:26 (3,665 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture

See if you cannot find a better condition cleaner for a good price.the Kirby could need carbon brushes, an armature,a new cord.for $10 you don't know what you're getting.
Post# 275124 , Reply# 33   4/7/2014 at 15:21 (3,665 days old) by parwaz786 ( )        

Im gonna forget that one then, unless it's not more than £20 (VEry unlikely) so I am going to get a working one from the Carboots and maybe just get one from eBay which is working

Post# 275134 , Reply# 34   4/7/2014 at 16:33 (3,665 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)        
Tayyab,

 sptyks's profile picture

The G4 you found on ebay is in bad shape and would most likely require a lot of work and parts to get it running again.

I would expect you would need to spend at least £50 to get a Kirby in good working condition but keep searching and read the description closley when you find one.

 

-Stan

 

 
Post# 275135 , Reply# 35   4/7/2014 at 16:41 (3,665 days old) by matt8808 (Teesside - North East - UK)        

This is a much more realistic price for a decent used Kirby

bit.ly/1hy2L0t...

I'd stay away from buying one at a car boot fair


CLICK HERE TO GO TO matt8808's LINK
Post# 275148 , Reply# 36   4/7/2014 at 18:20 (3,665 days old) by TASE (Colorado)        

tase's profile picture
Unless you know what specifically is wrong with a Kirby, DO NOT buy one from a place you could expect some problems.

An abused Kirby can get pricy to fix. The G5 I gave to a family member needed an armature, carbon brush, mini-emptor, and fan replacement after they abused it for 8 years. It got really pricy, really quickly.

However, if it powers on, sounds healthy, and doesn't have any physically broken parts, then you should go ahead and buy it. My Sentria was $40 and all it needed was a new outer bag and fan. I only bought it because it ran well and sounded healthy.

Like I said, I do not like carboot sales for Kirbys, but you can definitely go and buy one there. Including if it's under 20 euros and in decent condition. Kirbys can almost always be fixed. I pulled a G3 out of a pond and got it to work, but it was expensive. Just trust your gut, you know what a healthy vacuum sounds like, and if you don't, YouTube "Kirby vacuum" and you'll be able to hear a good amount of healthy Kirbys.

Oh, and to answer your question earlier, I have a DC07 Animal. I wish I could get rid of it. It was $15 and definitely not worth it after I've replaced several broken parts that happened just from using it to clean my carpet.


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