Thread Number: 40360  /  Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
FilterQueen Curiosity
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Post# 428638   7/15/2020 at 11:36 (1,351 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        

Hello all . . .
I don't see any posts in this forum relative to FilterQueen vacuums, particularly the newer ones. I'm curious if anyone out there has had any experience or opinions about these vacuums; effective, not effective, overpriced?

A few years ago, I was with the VCCC group that toured the Kirby plant in Cleveland. One of the activities included at this convention was a tour of the Health-Mor facility in or near Strongsville, OH. Part of the tour included a presentation of the "benefits" of the vacuum, and another activity was a tour of the factory floor to see the building of the vacuum and the ability to talk to the employees. At the conclusion of the tour, we were given the opportunity to purchase a combo of the vacuum and the accompanying air purifier for around $3,000.00. Too rich for my blood.

Since my wife and I have various allergies, we endeavor to keep our home clean and run an air purifier. I have the curiosity about the FilterQueen if they are worth it.

Granted, I have no shortage of quality vacuums--Kirbys, Royals, Hoovers, and a Sebo. I have a Miele C3 Marin canister which is a nice unit. I bought an adapter/reducer that attaches to the Miele hose end. This allows me to use a variety of Kirby and Oreck attachments, which I like better than the Miele attachments.

I submitted a contact form to the plant in Ohio to give me a call. In short order, the request was forwarded to a nearby distributor. The manager asked me what I expected to pay for one. No, I want YOU to tell me what you would sell one for? He quoted $1,500 to $1,900 depending on options. I just said I'll get back to you if I have any interest.

So, back to my original question--who has experience or knowledge about FilterQueen, and are they worth the price?


Post# 428639 , Reply# 1   7/15/2020 at 12:43 (1,351 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
My oldest Filter Queen was made in 1939. I can still use it and it runs like the day it left the factory. The Health-Mor company started out selling straight suction uprights. I have most of the models up through the present. When you empty one, you are covered in the dust that raises from dumping the bucket. The cone filters are now only sold (in genuine) by distributors - you can't buy genuine filter cones from a vac shop and the parts are not available to vac shops. You have to buy them at highly inflated prices from an authorized distributor. Buy a used machine - there's no reason to buy a new one.

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Post# 428643 , Reply# 2   7/15/2020 at 14:13 (1,351 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Joe, Wasn't that trip great?

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I had a Filter Queen from the 60s. Placed it in the hands of someone who really wanted it.
We met Ruth Hollander, who sold them for years. She was wonderful. There's a pic of us at her place. Glenn and Mike Turner are in the photo. Sadly, they're both gone now. Mike got a NIB unit from her.


Post# 428647 , Reply# 3   7/15/2020 at 18:09 (1,351 days old) by Gman (Ripon, CA)        
Not Your Mothers Filter Queen

I grew up with a straight suction FIlter Queen as a kid. My parents still have it. When they moved I was using it and got all nostalgic and found a good deal on a newer Majestic thinking it would be awesome. Hate it! It gets referred to by my husband as the most expensive vacuum that sits on a shelf.

For one it is a screamer, not the quite purr of the older models. I don’t like the one piece wand, and the bare floor tool just pushes stuff around. The power nozzle dies in my plush carpets. I bought a bojack hose and Wessel Werk replacement for it, but I just can’t get over the noise.

Hind sight I wish I would have bought a more vintage machine.



Post# 428650 , Reply# 4   7/15/2020 at 18:41 (1,351 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Filter queen

lesinutah's profile picture
They are descent vacuums and descent air purifiers.
The vacuum goes overboard on allergies bogging the motor down.
I'm not saying it's bad but if you want a vacuum air cleaner look into a two speed rainbow. I don't know another vacuum that is brushless. It emits no emissions to filter. If it doesn't have any to begin with and it's HEPA exhaust filter. The filter queen has carbon brushes and needs filters for it.
If you get a silver or platinum rainbow you would love it. The gold doesn't have a batting for sound reducing.
You can get a good filter queen for $200 or so. The rainbow would be $300-$450.
Les


Post# 428674 , Reply# 5   7/16/2020 at 12:34 (1,350 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        
Good information . . .

. . . on the FilterQueen vacuum from first-hand experience. Thanks to all for sharing.

John, your being able to know those in the know is a resource beneficial to so many of us.

Grant, I certainly wouldn't want to fork over cash for a vacuum that screams at you as it may or may not adequately clean the floors. I have a Royal upright model 8300, and that's enough of a screamer to sit around and occupy space.

Tom, dumping out the bucket and getting immersed in dust is certainly a concern. Looking around, the Aerus Lux Guardian Platinum is a superior vacuum with good filtration. I would consider one for a price that doesn't break my back.


Post# 428675 , Reply# 6   7/16/2020 at 13:32 (1,350 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
They are not bad vacuums

I have five now. They aren't the best either, as with any vacuum it has disadvantages:
1: I do not like their power nozzles. No edge cleaning whatsoever.
2: Newer models (as mentioned above) have a higher pitched scream
3: Though they are supposed to filter this is negated by dumping the dust bucket(I empty mine outside in the compost bin)
4: If you use all the filters they recommend, the consumables can be costly. The filters are all available from aftermarket sellers.

The Defender is not bad. I have two, one upstairs and one down. It's just a motor pulling air through a HEPA filter media. The filters are expensive, even when buying aftermarket. I vacuum mine out every month and it helps extend the life some.

Both vacuum and defender can be purchased on ebay at great savings over a dealer. There are often new or like new current models selling in the $600 range.



Post# 428689 , Reply# 7   7/16/2020 at 20:57 (1,350 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Filter queen

lesinutah's profile picture
Is pretty much the same vacuum since the early 90s. I'd say get a majestic would run $150. The filters and everything $20-$40 a year. There power nozzle is trash. Get a eureka power nozzle they use the same pigtail.
If your looking for a vacuum/ purifier I'm not sure why you would want the lux gaurdian.
Les


Post# 428720 , Reply# 8   7/17/2020 at 16:47 (1,349 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        

human's profile picture
I have a 1990s vintage Filter Queen Majestic that I paid $5 for at a thrift shop and then spent more than ten times that much trying to fix it up. Performance is really pretty lackluster, although I will give it points for being a very simple and straightforward design (no circuit boards) and thus very easy to work on but I'll take an Electrolux canister over it any day of the week. I have trash-found Electroluxes that will clean circles around it.

Post# 428725 , Reply# 9   7/18/2020 at 00:57 (1,349 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Few weeks ago looked on the FQ website-like Kirby they could no longer do DTD sales or in home demos.---so they sell the FQ vacuum system for $3000 online!!The Defender air purifier is extra.For get the online price.

Post# 428726 , Reply# 10   7/18/2020 at 01:15 (1,349 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Purifier

lesinutah's profile picture
Can be found real cheap on eBay.
Les


Post# 428889 , Reply# 11   7/21/2020 at 22:43 (1,345 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

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I'm curious, does the Miele C3 cause any issues with the allergies? I like my 20 year old FQ but I wouldn't buy a brand new one, $3,000 for a vacuum cleaner is asinine when I already have so many. I would expect a Miele to be the best option, no messy bucket to empty and they have excellent filtration. If bagless is a must then the Rainbow would be a decent option, though I've never been able to bring myself to use one regularly because of the hassle of cleaning it out after each use.

Post# 428902 , Reply# 12   7/22/2020 at 07:39 (1,345 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        
No . . .

. . . there doesn't seem to be any allergy issue with the Miele C3. The filtration is very good. I use genuine Miele bags and the genuine Miele hepa filter. Of course, they're costlier than knock-offs, but I have a thing with original items until original bags and filters become outrageously expensive. Other pluses are that the suction control is quite handy, and it is a quiet machine.

Joe


Post# 428908 , Reply# 13   7/22/2020 at 10:24 (1,344 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
Kirby is still going door to door in my area. Yesterday, 3 Kirby 'salesmen' brought in the trade-in machines they got from working my town for 2 days. There were 5 Riccars, a Simplicity, and a Rainbow. I got them all for $50. One of the 'salesmen' was actually a lady. Wearing leggings instead of pants. But they all had their masks on. They drive 4 hours to get here, so it's good to know people are buying expensive vacuums and I get to sell them consumables.

Post# 428938 , Reply# 14   7/22/2020 at 21:23 (1,344 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        

myles_v's profile picture
If the main reason you want a FQ is to help with allergies then I would just stick with the Miele honestly. I actually bought one of my FQs from someone who replaced it with a Miele to help out their allergies.

Post# 428945 , Reply# 15   7/22/2020 at 22:58 (1,344 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
I don't notice ANY particulates editing from my FQ....so I'd be shocked if someone is having reactions using it as long as the cone is in good shape, the cotton batting around the exhaust is clean. My Miele C3 canister ( that I gave my mom but am using it at the moment, works superbly as well so I couldn't say which is truly better. Emptying them easily goes to the Miele though.

Post# 429014 , Reply# 16   7/24/2020 at 21:27 (1,342 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)        
rivstg1...

myles_v's profile picture
Using the FQ isn't the issue, it's emptying the machine that caused a problem for the elderly couple who I bought one of mine from. They filter great when being used, especially with the newer Medipure filter.

Post# 429023 , Reply# 17   7/25/2020 at 02:09 (1,342 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

While having the recall mod done to my Rainbow-they mentioned the covid hasn't affected them at all.Still doing DTD sales thru appointments.

Post# 429059 , Reply# 18   7/25/2020 at 23:57 (1,341 days old) by cam2s (Nebraska)        
Filter Queen

I have several majestics but my favorite Filter Queen is my old school chocolate brown one. I think it feels much sturdier than the newer ones and the dual stage motor is very powerful while being relatively quiet and pleasant to the ear while running. As noted if you have allergies probably the biggest issue is emptying it. The power nozzle doesn’t feel as aggressive as others but it never has an issue digging dirt either, whenever I use it the canister fills up fairly fast. I would have no issue daily driving this particular machine, I feel that is has the build quality and performance to go up against the competition.

Cameron.


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Post# 429060 , Reply# 19   7/26/2020 at 00:13 (1,341 days old) by Thevacomaticiec (Bathurst New Brunswick Canada )        

thevacomaticiec's profile picture
M y mom friend had a old brown Filter Queen like the one picture above wasa beast quiet but very good at cleaning .

Post# 429264 , Reply# 20   7/30/2020 at 12:13 (1,336 days old) by mylesrom (Canada)        
Pick up a used one

I have two filter queens the brown model and a triple crown. I picked them up a week ago from a lady for 100 cdn for the pair, which included tons of unused attachments, cones, manuals etc. She was selling on behalf of her parents. Both machines were well maintained and only required new bulbs.

There are tons of good deals on used models and I doubt the new ones filter any differently than the older models.

One thing that surprised me was I was doing my living room with my Miele S2 with the SB 228 powerhead. I thought it was was doing excellent job and when I vacuumed the living room with the brown model with the pn96 powerhead, it pulled up so much fine almost silt like material.... I was actually shocked. Not that the filter queen is better than the miele but its obviously still working well if its picking up that much that the Miele missed.

As for air purifiers, I think there are much better models out there. I have Austin air and Allenair models. Their filters contain 15 and 18lbs of carbon and hepa filters....


Post# 429372 , Reply# 21   8/1/2020 at 14:52 (1,334 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
sweet to hear that you got great condition attachments. I don't know why, but I really like getting them with a vacuum acquisition. Impressive.....to read what it picked up after the Miele

Post# 429373 , Reply# 22   8/1/2020 at 15:41 (1,334 days old) by mylesrom (Canada)        
This is what it picked up

I was using the Miele S2 with 228 powerhead before the filter queen.

After vacuuming 3 times over 3 days, a small bedroom and 12 x 12 living room carpet, this is what the old brown model Filter queen picked up and what the Miele seems to have missed. The dust pile is over an inch thick.... and the cone was caked in almost a silt. I have no pets. I was surprised...

I have since checked the tub and cone and there isn't that much in it now, so it seems to have picked up most of what was left.

Needless to say that the filter queens still work well even the 30-40 year old model.



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Post# 429375 , Reply# 23   8/1/2020 at 15:56 (1,334 days old) by rivstg1 (colorado springs)        

rivstg1's profile picture
strong evidence I'd say!!!!!!

Post# 429414 , Reply# 24   8/2/2020 at 14:37 (1,333 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        
My goodness . . .

They say he who vacuums last wins, but competing against your Miele, it looks like you won in a big way.

Post# 429430 , Reply# 25   8/2/2020 at 23:24 (1,333 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

I would disagree about any vacuum winning or losing in this situation. No valid test was conducted, and no valid conclusion can be drawn. the only fair conclusion is that there was dirt in the rug and the Filter Queen picked up some of it. Whether another vacuum would have picked up more or less given the exact same opportunity is unknown. Sorry if this offends, but that is the nature of science.

Post# 429436 , Reply# 26   8/3/2020 at 09:57 (1,332 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        
Well . . .

You got that off your chest. Hope you feel better.

Post# 429439 , Reply# 27   8/3/2020 at 10:37 (1,332 days old) by mylesrom (Canada)        
Wasn't a test

It wasn't a test, or that one vacuum was better than the next. I did have a new bag in the Miele and it really wasn't picking up all that much that was new as it initially picked up a lot in the beginning when I moved into this apartment. The floors were not properly vacuumed and carpets cleaned as they claimed and there was a lot of dirt left behind. When I vacuumed the first time the Miele collected 1/2 a bag full of cat hair and dirt.

I always take a look in the bag to see how much and what the vacuum is collecting. I was just a little surprised on how much the Miele missed and was no longer picking up as I vacuum every second to third day and have been using the Miele for almost 10 months now. Its in mint condition with the powerhead working perfectly.

So the point of the post is not a scientific test, but that obviously the old filter queen with its powerhead that most people dislike, still works very well.


Post# 429441 , Reply# 28   8/3/2020 at 10:55 (1,332 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

Don't get the wrong idea. I'm happy for you that you have a vacuum that you love, and that it apparently meets your needs. The fact that your brown Filter Queen is working well for you after 30-40 years is a testament to it's high quality build.











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