SPT IM-101 Portable ICE Maker W/LCD Display

After a long research on the internet and several phone calls for the ideal Ice Maker, I finally decided to purchased the Sunpentown IM-101 portable ice maker. I have been using it straight, non stop for about 25 days. I have not turned if off since I unpacked and plugged it. The Sunpentown IM-101 works extremely well. I needed an ice maker in our apartment to produce ice cubes for a specific ice cooling machine, which my husband has been using after an orthopedic surgery. This ice maker machine has been the God sent to our family. The only drawback is that the machine, as with any other of its kind, is a bit too large. However, as far as operating it, its very easy. Just add the water, plug it in the AC, and it does all the work for you. I love the shape of the ice it produces, which is always great for our ice tea or cold drinks. I strongly recommend it. I had read several reviews prior to purchasing the Sunpentown IM-101. I did encounter very negative review on other brands of countertop ice maker machines and it made me very concerned about acquiring one. When I received this machine in the mail, i made sure to save its original shipping boxes just in case I needed to return it. Needless to say, the shipping boxes were already destroyed. The machine is great. I strong suggest you to purchase this particular one and look no longer.

I purchased this based on all the great reviews. There are several reasons why I won't give this 5 stars and I was wavering between 3 and 4 stars.It's not as easy as plug it in, add water and you have ice in 20 minutes. The instructions say to clean it thoroughly by running it through it's cleaning cycle with 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar or lemon juice, then drain it. Add clean water and do the same again. Next, run it through it's first cycle and discard the first batch of ice. The ice had a horrible chemical odor and taste!! There were additional instructions if this should happen. Again, I added one cup of lemon juice (vinegar is hard to get rid of the odor)to an entire tank of water and run it through several cycles of ice. I had to throw away 4 or 5 baskets of ice. I then rinsed it with clear water in the cleaning cycle. Finally, the ice didn't have any odor!Pros: *Quick at making ice. *Three size selections of cubes. *Makes large quantities.Cons: *Ice is watery regardless of what size cube I make. *If you let the ice sit in the ice maker too long, it starts to melt. *You need to transfer it to the freezer quickly but even then, because the ice is watery it sticks together. *Prep work *Large and heavy.UPDATE April 10, 2011The ice machine started slowing down and I felt a fine water mist coming out of the area where the ice was being made. The ice in the basket was melting after several hours.UPDATE April 22, 2011Now it doesn't work at all. I called the manufacturer and they emailed me steps on how to check the motor to the water tray/scooper. Upon inspection, the gear mechanism from the motor that controls the water tray was completely rusted, therefore unable to engage and turn. I was told that any parts that were sent to me were no charge but of course I would have to repair it myself. If the unit needs to be returned, I would have to pay for shipping. This is a heavy piece of equipment and will cost a lot to ship back. What a disappointment for having this expensive ice maker for only six months.UPDATE July 22, 2011:I've replaced the motor, (my husband was impressed at my technical skills... lol), and reshaped the output splash bar with needle nose pliers, and finally all is working well. The bent splash bar was the cause of the motor rusting because the water was spraying onto the motor gears. It's unfortunate that I was responsible for repairing the machine and I feel the manufacturer didn't stand by their product. They saw that it was defective, based on my photos, and in my opinion they should have replaced it at no charge to me. In the least, Sunpentown should have paid for me to ship it back and have it fixed by them. When I asked the representative, what my next step would be if the motor rusted out again, she simply said that it's still under the ORIGINAL warranty and they'd replace it, if need be, up until that point. In my opinion the motor warranty should have been extended for another year. Unfortunately I got a lemon.

This is the 3rd one I owned. When it works, it works good. My problem with it is that it has about a one year life cycle, and then something on these puppies break -- usually a plastic part -- right after the manufacture's is no longer responsible. I wish they were built for the long haul.

I purchased the first one back in May and it did not work. Had to send it back. Got the replacement and hooked it up. The control panel on the front was lifting off. It has a mind of its own. You cannot program it or bypass the timer. It shuts off for hours on end and then starts to make ice, makes one tray full then shuts off again. Very exasperating on a hot day. Makes me think this was not a new ice maker but refurbished, and not a good job at the refurbishing either. I would not recommend this ice maker to anyone. Very disappointing. And very expensive.

This product works very well and is quick to product ice. Not too noisy when making ice. Be sure to go through the cleaing and set up procedures when first purchased or the ice will have a terrible taste and odor. I think the factory should actually perform this before they sell the product. I went through three cleaning cycles and batches of ice before the odor and bad taste was gone. Also when the ice is made to preserve it be sure to remove from the maker and put in the freezer or the ice will eventually shrink from melting.

I bought this for Father's Day and here in November it is still going strong! We live in the south were ice and coolers are a must in the vehicle for daily activities and keeping meet cool after hunting and harvesting.I'm at home with our kids so I man the ice making harvesting. :)I purchased ice bags and a metalScoop (the tony plasic on was not impresive), can get a little more than two 10lb bags a day if I stay on too of it. The internal ice bin fills up about every hour. Which if not dumped the machine goes to stand buy and stops making ice and the ice in the bin will start to melt back into the water chamber and wait to make more ice.I have run vinegar thru it twice and it does take at least a full day of running to get the taste out of the ice.It has started to sound louder to me, this may be because it sits beside my sink and stove and I'm constantly listening to it OR the dust needs to be cleaned out of the back vents.The ice is 'wet' and does freeze together if bagged and put into a deep freeze. (Which is what we do)Over all very pleased...but to be honest because of the extra noise in my kitchen...next time I'll buy a used fridge and freezer with an ice maker built in and harvest ice from it, giving me extra fridge space+ice+freezer space ;)

１ケ月未満で、電源が入らなくなりました。　やはり、・・・・中国製品でした。