Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'll be brief and do this as a list so it's easy to read: 1) ice cubes are only clear/transparent for the first 1-2 batches, basically while the water in the basin is still at room temp, however I was not looking for clear ice cubes 2) they are chewable, especially the small ones 3) makes lots of ice once the machine has been on for about an hour, needs time to chill contents 4) the ice that is made stays "scoop-able" (loose and individual) while inside the machine, however, it all does freeze together once transferred to your freezer. REMEDY: Not everyone has room to do this but this is what my family does. I fill plastic cups with the ice and place the cups into the freezer. Then when you need ice, just grab a pre-filled cup. If you just need the ice for a cup you are already using, get a pre-filled cup and run water over the outside of the cup to loosen the ice from its hold on the cup. The ice will slide out in one chunk that can easily go into the cup you are already using. The now empty cup can then just be filled again and go back into the freezer since it didn't get dirty. Just a suggestion that works in my house. 5) the sensors for needing more water and ice bin full do work but are not 100% reliable so just keep an eye on them. Whether they function or not doesn't effect the quality of the ice. 6) yes, I run it all day long 3-4 days a week in the summer, sometimes more, no problems in the 2 years we've had it 7) the machine is not a freezer so the ice produced does slowly melt. I have not noticed a weird taste to ice that is made from melted ice. I use water from my reverse osmosis system. 8) if I'm not using the machine for a period of time (we use a lot less ice in the winter), I drain it (which is easily done but just opening the valve on the side and placing a cookie sheet with a lip to catch the water, don't need it all over the counter), and then wipe it out with a rag and a very very dilute bleach solution. I then just fold up a paper towel and use it to prop the lid open just a crack so it can dry out completely but it won't be open to collect dust. Then its ready to go the next spring. Again, I love this thing. Yes, it would be nice to have water plumbed to it, but filling it really isn't that big of a deal. If you want ice, this is a perfect way to have lots.