Waring Pro Professional Snow Cone Machine - Electric Ice Shaver for Homemade Shaved Ice Treats - Perfect for Parties, Events, and Summer Refreshments

This machine worked perfectly for our needs. The snow is not as smooth as the Hawaiian shaved ice (not fluffy/mushy) but is more like traditional snow cones. Still, the ice is finely grained, and everyone from college students to preschoolers loves them! I needed a snow cone machine for a college study day event. This one worked well for the ~ 6 hours we needed it with no problems. The tank fills with snow, which you can scoop into the cones. If the ice sits in the tank, it gets a bit wet, but you can easily and quickly make more. The machine never stalled, and it makes enough snow that you can serve several people before needing to refill the tank. It shaves the ice quickly. Clean up is easy. My kids enjoy using it at home now, and it's a big hit with their friends. It's very easy to use. Just beware--the blade is sharp. When you clean it the first time (which is really the only time you need to clean it), watch your fingers!I bought this a few days ago for a Super Bowl party and everybody loved it. I did a lot of research for snow cone machines and decided to go with this one because of all the good reviews this one had and it did not disappoint as others had stated. This machine produced shaved ice worth no problem and it made around 4 to 6 cups of snow in about 2 minutes. Do NOT use ice that is some what melted it will jam it up and slow it down from making snow. I had to unjam it with a fork, that was MY FAULT NOT the machines fault. When you use nice fresh hard ice the machine is awesome. I bought some of that Hawaiian flavored snow cone syrup and everybody loved the flavors and was a hit with the kids as well as all the adults at the Super Bowl party. Very easy to clean up. The blades are very very sharp, they almost remind me of ice auger blades for ice fishing.I have had this for several years and its still working. I bought it for my grandson because I was having to stop at the snow cone stand every day when I picked him up. I save enough making him snow cones to pay for the machine in the first few months.Just received my snow cone machine today. Just planning to use it for light duty around the pool. Works well. Pretty straight forward. Ice is pretty soft. I am always concerned as to how chunky the ice will be. Could be better...but definitely OK. The price is reasonable. There is a great deal of plastic going on with this machine. Even the plunger and chute seem some type plastic. That concerns me some because there is some force on the handle. Of course, need to use common sense. But there is always someone who comes along and "gives it all they got!" Oh well...price reasonable and no reviews of it breaking, so no need to worry. I just got it so cannot vouch for reliability. But...seems good for the money.I researched so many snow cone machines, makers, models, etc. that I was overwhelmed with information and varying customer feedback reviews. I am so happy I settled on the Waring Pro. It was just a bit more expensive, yet well worth it. It runs for about 20 minutes consistently each time used.It was originally purchased for use at our 5 year old's Frozen themed birthday party and everyone really liked having snow cones as treats. Several adults asked where I purchased the unit and remarked that they loved the ice comes out shaved instead of small chunks; we concur.The clean up is super easy, as well as the set up and use. I am a happy consumer with this purchase.Not sure if I'm doing something wrong but we aren't getting finely shaved snow. We've tried crushed ice, whole ice cubes, frozen block of ice from a small paper cup. We've tried pushing hard on the lever and not pushing hard. We get fine ice crystals and chopped up ice bits. There aren't huge pieces of ice, but it's not soft snow. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them because we love snow cones and the reviews here were so positive. Not sure if I'll keep it or try to find something else.Update: I returned this and bought the much cheaper Hawaiian shaved ice maker on Amazon. We love that one! Soft snow, super fast. We ate way too many snow cones last summer with that one.From day 1 as soon as I got it out of the box, the kids and I just had to try it. We love this machine it is super easy to use and the safety feature will not let you start it unless everything is in place; so I tell my 14yr old granddaughter to go for it whenever she wants...she likes being in charge of making snow cones for her sister and 2 cousins. I love that you can just use regular ice out of the freezer and no extra money to spend on that. Clean up is a snap! Great product. It will surely get a workout this summer!Nice little machine! Easy to use and very safe! Makes consistent sized shavings with very little effort. I've run 5lbs of ice through it non stop at one time and it worked well! Being able to use home made or store bought ice is a major plus! Machine is plastic so you don't need brute force to push the plunger! I just rest my hand on the plunger and intermittently raise the handle so it shuffles the ice in the chute! Refrigerate flavorings well before so they don't melt the shavings! Clean up is almost non existent. Rinse collector and set upside down to dry!