Product review (2 stars): Frappe heaven ..DRATS - see edit, died after 5 months!
Nearly two years ago I purchased and began using my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/NewAir-AI100BK-Portable-Icemaker/dp/B0017Y8X3O/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">NewAir AI100BK Portable Icemaker</a>. For two years it faithfully supported my frappe habit, saving me countless amounts of money by bringing me ice for my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mr-Coffee-BVMC-FM1-20-Ounce-Frappe-Maker/dp/B002FWMF8G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mr. Coffee BVMC-FM1 20-Ounce Frappe Maker</a>. I was happy.

However all good things (and electrical products) come to an end, and after nursing it along for three months, it quietly died. I grieved and then moved on.

I chose the Polar because it opens in the front, fitting under my counters better, and actually holds about the same amount of ice. The drain for the water is underneath, allowing an easy way to empty it. It makes ice just as fast as my previous one, if anything, while this is smaller, it seems to be even better insulated. The poles that freeze the water are inside where they can't be touched by children.

The guidelines state that you should clean it (bleach in water) regularly, and give instructions on saving your ice once the basket is full. It also recommends emptying it if you aren't using the ice. Since I let my previous maker run continuously, with the ice melting into the bottom and being remade, not only is this a better choice for health, but it will likely prolong the use.

To fill this ice maker you remove the drawer and fill the bottom. It comes with a pitcher which makes it easy to do, it also includes a scoop for the ice. You then plug it in and it makes ice ... Three choices of sizes. It doesn't state that you need to use any specific water, but the flavor of ice is dependent upon the water you use. When the drawer is full or the reservoir of water gets too low, a light comes on and it stops making ice. If the drawer is full (about 1/2 gallon of ice), put the ice in a ziplock bag and it will keep making ice. If you don't remove your ice it slowly melts back into the reservoir.

I thought parts were missing when mine first arrived, only to discover that the cord and pitcher were in the reservoir ... The scoop was in the drawer.

I have ice again. I am happy.

Edited - I have noticed that once my drawer is full, I need to push the stop and start button to get it to start making ice again. If I don't, it takes awhile to reset. I have also noticed that this particular model is more efficient when it makes the cubes, so I now keep my setting on medium cubes.

The other model began to immediately make ice once it fell below a certain level, so that it always had ice. This particular model focuses on making ice to be frozen. As a result, if I want guaranteed ice at any given moment in time, I need to empty it into the bags and freezer.

Final edit - stars removed. It was great while it lasted, but died after less than 5 months use. Going back to the New Air.