Three things we need to get clear. If you need to know how to operate this, I have instructions. Some of the reviews are coming from people who don't understand how a slushie machines work. 1. This product works, but the instructions are terrible. Don't go by everyone's reviews saying "product doesn't work." The product does work, they just don't know how to operate this simple machine. Here's what you do. Take Kosher salt and put enough in the bottom of the metal nonstick tin to cover the bottom of the tin (about 2 Tbls). Next fill with cubed ice about halfway. Pour more salt on top of that, but about half as much you put in the bottom. Then fill to the top with ice. Turn the switch on to freeze. When you hear the machine start to sound like it's scraping, its working. As the ice starts to melt just top it off with more ice. Try not to let it get to less than 3/4 full of ice or it takes longer to get the liquid to freeze. No need to stop the machine, just put the ice cubes through the top hole when you see it less than 3/4 full. Once it starts to slushify the ice will melt slower so you won't have to top off as often. I would say I have to top it off twice before the drink is frozen. Takes about 15 minutes. Once you get your slushie to the consistency you want, flip the switch to dispense and pour your drink. Let me be clear, if you want to have more slushie later, flip it to dispense. If you let it keep running on freeze, it will keep making the slushie to freeze, making it really thick causing it to feel like a job to drink it rather than a pleasure. Long story short if you like your slushies less wet, let it run on freeze. If you like them a little more wet and easier to drink through a straw, every 10-15 minutes switch it from dispense to freeze. 2. I love this machine. Like I really love it. Not sure why everyone has had so much trouble trying to figure this out. The liquid freezes to the outside of the metal and as it turns, the plastic blades scrape off the frozen product causing it to slushify. Here's my only problem. The main gear that makes this process possible is made out of cheap plastic. If the drink gets too frozen it causes more tension on this gear. You'll hear the machine get much louder, eventually you hear it jam, and crack. The result is a useless machine. So be aware of that if you walk away from it for too long, this could be something you'll experience. I have requested a replacement machine, and I'm hoping that I have better luck with that gear. If it happens again I'll be looking for a new product with a design that promises longevity. 3. Don't buy the expensive syrups. Or any syrups for that matter. Even the Icee brand syrups arnt worth it. It's misleading. You can turn anything into a slushie. Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Cherry Coca-Cola, Root Beer, Dr Pepper, Mountain Dew. Anything that's a liquid drink, you can turn into a slushie. You can get a 2 Liter soda, or canned sodas and pour it into the pitcher part of the machine and it will slushify. It's at 1/10 of the cost of the syrups and tastes much better. Ill be honest, I bought a 4 pack for $32.00 from Icee, and it made 4 pitchers. I can buy 5 Two Liters for about $7 and get about 10-15 slushie pitchers full. Even if you have a flat soda you can still use it in the machine and it tastes the same, if not better. Awesome for the family movie nights if you follow these instructions Good Luck Everyone!!!