I know this topic has been discussed in the past, but some time has elapsed since then, and maybe some of you who use the XL have grown to like it.

I am in the market to pick up a Steamin Demon, but have heard only positive things about the classic, and mostly negative about the XL. Please give me any feedback on either model.

Thanks.

I like both of them and for different reasons
the Classic in my view is more maneuverable then the XL in some situations, and it looks nicer. The Classic has stainless filters you clean and put back in so you do not loose any suction while cleaning.

XL has cloth filter bags so when they get clogged you do loose suction but you do not have to touch all the grungy crap that the Classic can collect.
Example we do several stores in a chain restaurant every two months I have to extract traffic lanes in them I like not having to vac out the waste tank and clean the steel filters out.

When I started they were not cleaned in 5 months, this meant CBM and then extract. I went through 3 filter bags per store, but I did not have to keep pulling out the steel filters.

I also like the XL nose because it fits under things easier along with the adjustable handle.
My 13 year old hated the XL at first now he will use that before the Classic. For me it depends on my mood and what machine is all cleaned up and ready to roll.

The XL is easier to attach other tools to you can also not use the filter bags and put in the steel screen filters if you wanted to, (but I did not say that)

Thanks a lot David. That was a very balanced view of each machine.

Now you just made my decision even harder. Or maybe, easier in that I can't really go wrong with either!

The biggest weakness of the xl, I felt, was the need to spend $4 a pop on filter bags. Even though you save money upfront, it may be more in the long run. Now that the xl can also use a stainless filter....hmmm.

The classic does look cooler in that you can see all that dirty water being sucked up. Good to know when you've extracted all you can, too.

If you could only use 1, which one would it be? I can't really afford both at the moment, so I only get one crack at it for now.

Do I understand correctly that with the XL one can not see the dirty water?

You can see the dirty water with the XL but not as clear as the water passes through a hose and not clear window.

Also to make it CLEAR you can use Stainless filters
with the XL, but Demon Co will not endorse this. I know it can be done because I am a tinker and I had to do it once when I ran out of filters.


If I had to choose one I would get the Classic because that is three of my crews favorite

David

Thanks again David.

I think when guys use a machine day in and day out, that speaks volumes as far as their preference.

Sounds like it's the classic for me.

How did you adapt the screen filter? did you make one of your own or was it from a classic?

It was from a Classic still need to do a little adapting but works fine.

You also need to know that one has to make sure to keep the defoamer working due to the way the vac is set up. You can get blow by if you are not careful there is no screen for the vac port.


David

You know, after thinking about this for a while, it sounds like you really cannot go wrong with either the xl or the classic. The differences sound like side points, but the bottom line is that both clean very well. Does that sound like a logical conclusion?

By the way, what do you think about the XL20? I intend on using the demon for commercial primarily, and I would imagine that that extra 5" might come in handy.

If you are doing large commercial areas absolutely it would be a production monster. I have only used the 15 inch because of the way my accounts are. When I get an account that warrents it then I will purchase it.

Thanks for the answers David. I am inching ever closer to making my decision. Just trying to make the most of my modest budget.