I LOVE this ice maker!  I am glad I went with the 50lb too, as you don't realize how much ice you go thru.  I remake ice about every 3 days.  You add water, and like ad says, you get first "round" (about 12 ice cubes) with in about 7 min.  But, be prepared, if you fill it to the fill line, it will take about an hour to make all the cubes.  It dumps into tray inside, and then I take it about every two rounds and place in bin in freezer.  Be warned, that the ice is not solid.  Meaning, when you do freeze it afterwards, it will stick together in bin.  I bought an ice pick to help break it up later, after it has hardened more.  Size wise, it fit perfectly on my counter too!  I would recommend this to my friends!