Review on 🧊 AI-215W NewAir Countertop Portable Ice Maker - 50 lb. Daily Capacity - White - 3 Sizes of Bullet Shaped Ice by Anna Fetzner

Good and bad in this car. I bought it in March 2016. We enjoyed the ice cream and even bagged up the excess to keep in the freezer as the basket is small. Last fall, around October, the car started making horrible grinding noises. I have contacted the company regarding the warranty and received a request for information. Based on other reviews they took a photo of the data plate on the car and a copy of my receipt. I was then greeted in a friendlier manner and given a returns number. I didn't keep the original packaging so they sent me one and some tiny protective pads. It wasn't enough to protect me in transit so I ordered packing material and got ready to ship the car back. I kept listening to the machine stop working and prepared myself to have enough ice in the freezer so I didn't have to buy ice. Well the machine was 95% silent with only the occasional odd noise. Because it wasn't consistent, I left the car. Fast forward to July 2017. The tray could not be lifted to hold water for ice making. My husband disassembled it and found the problem. It has a metal sleeve around two plastic half rings that are part of the tray. The price of a dime of plastic to make these half circles instead of half rings would make a world of difference in their ability to withstand constant use. See photos for more information. We replaced the metal bushing and filled the tube with a sucker, then installed the motor arm in the sucker and closed the machine. If I didn't have a Sugra, I would opt for a stainless steel screw through the tray and a new piece of plastic that glues to the tray. Replacing the tray will not be easy. If we could find a replacement bowl, the ice maker would have to be further disassembled. During manufacture, the tray is installed in place, then spray foam is used for insulation and soundproofing. This makes a simple replacement a big job rather than a minor repair. Whatever the case, if he's dead forever, I won't replace him. I choose a commercial machine that can be repaired and makes a lot more ice in a day. I really want to love the machine, but I want to improve the ability to drain water (needs to take the unit to the sink), simplify fill time (needs to fill by hand), and be easier to repair. I'm not a fan of plastic parts that break easily. A few minor changes to this machine would increase the price but would also increase customer satisfaction far more than the cost of production.