Product review (4 stars): Portable Ice Maker
I had been reading reviews for this product (all brands)for quite some time, and it seemed like there have been a lot of unsatisfied customers.  Nevertheless, I decided to try it figuring that my odds were still pretty good that I wouldn't get a lemon.  Shouldn't play the odds I guess because it didn't work at all.  Looked up troubleshooting on its website--no luck.  Other websites offered different suggestions, but none worked.  Returned the machine and tried again.  Plugged it in and it didn't work.  Tried one of the suggestions previously read (tip the machine toward you), and viola!  It worked perfectly for the whole weekend I used it.  It is kept at our vacation home so I don't know if it will work again, but some of the troubleshooting suggestions I read about sound like good ideas.  Very hopeful on this.  The machine is very good looking, somewhat heavy to move around, and generally quiet except for when the ice drops into the bucket.  Very convenient and makes enough ice in a day for a party.