I've been fighting with a beat up ice machine at the Circle K off the 10 for about two years now. What finally worked for me was realizing it's all about how you hold the bag when you slide it in. If you tilt it so the ice falls to one side and then set it down slow, the machine doesn't get that sudden dump of weight that makes it seize up. @jenny47 is right on the money about shaking the bag first too, it keeps the cubes from sticking together in clumps. I used to just yank the bag open and jam it in there like a caveman. Now it's smooth every time.

Damn, @violaramirez that waxy sludge sounds like a nightmare.

Solidarity for sure. I used to be so scared to touch fine hair with mousse. Total game changer when you just go for it and pile on the grip products.