Some trivia, since I'm still in the initial excitement phase.... Have notice that when my existing ref. ice-bin is stocked with these little cubes instead of its own crescent-shaped cubes, the dispenser doesn't spit them all over the kitchen like it used to. Easy/predictable dispensing for once. Suspect related to size/shape of the new cubes but, man, what a relief. (Whirlpool Gold side-by-side frig. I've got two of them at different locations and both of the ice dispensers have always done this.) For the price, thinking I might get a second unit for the second location. Also pleased to find the little machine makes ice at about 4x the rate of the unit in the ref. -- and I'm including bagging/re-freezing time in that number. In the past, I've often run out of ice from the frig when I've had company. When I knew I was going to have guests, I often went out and purchased a bag of ice to make sure I wouldn't run out. Appears to me, this machine may obviate that occasional need. @jeri.....have also noticed that that little indent on one side of the cubes feels wonderful in the mouth. Tip of the tongue fits right in there. Very pleasing sensation. OK, I'm over it.

I had a separate icemaker in my former house (kitchen of my dreams renovation and then we moved) and it is what I miss more than anything else from that kitchen--it turned me into an ice snob. The icemakers with drains produce what is called "wet" ice; the temperature is set so the ice is constantly slowly melting (thus the need for the drain) and the icemaker is producing new and fresh ice to keep the bin full. That's why the ice is clear and odorless. Plus I much prefer the shape of the cubes produced by separate icemakers. I absolutely hate the ice in refrigerators, and this is the main reason I was holding out to see the new Electrolux French door refrigerator--the ice is supposedly "improved" even though it is still "dry" ice. I've now seen a photo of the ice from the Electrolux and, although I like the shape better, I don't think that alone is reason enough to buy that fridge. Be aware that some installations require a pump to drain the water from the icemaker. That's our situation--too long a straight run to get the water where it needs to go--and the main reason we aren't putting one in our house. Otherwise I'd gladly give up a cabinet for an icemaker. Of course, we live in a hot climate and have a pool, so we use a lot of ice.

I have the Monogram and can confirm the issue with the mold in the tubing too and it seems like black mold and flakes of green calcium like you see on copper. It reminded me of the clear 1/4” irrigation lines you can buy for aquariums and such. I had clear piping for some plants on the deck and they would clog with calcium build up. I switched to the black 1/4 inch tubing and the problem went away. I wonder if replacing the piping in the GE Monogram with black tubing would solve the issue. It seems like light contributes to the growth with my experience with clear tubing in irrigation. Does the little bit of light the ice maker gets cause the issue? I am not sure, but I may try black piping the next time I clean it. The half inch stuff they sell at Lowe’s should work and I may put some 90 degree elbows in with the connections to help out with the length of the piping. I know the ignorance is bliss will come in to play at least with the black piping. I wonder if bleach will work work any better than the phosphoric acid cleaner to clean the pipes? May give that a try before the phosphoric cleaning The GE Monogram is loud. The water valve is just plain old loud. Not sure why a water valve has to be loud! i was think of putting a carpet remnant underneath, and cutting a big piece of styrofoam to put beneath the door. Heat displacement versus sound will be the battle.

When I was installing my PEX plumbing I found that most junctions, fixtures, fittings and other parts had two versions - one certified as lead free for potable water and one for other uses (e.g., heating systems, lawn and garden, etc.). The potable water version of the fittings was usually a little more expensive. than the general purpose fittings. The brass garden hose Y and its rubber washers might last quite a while, but they aren't really intended to be used under continuous pressure. I would be very concerned about it eventually leaking. Bruce