We have a GE free-standing ice maker, ZDIS15. It is having a problem releasing the sheet of ice to the cutting grid. System seems to run on a timed schedule and once the ice making phase is done it stops flowing water and refills the water reservoir. During that time, the sheet does show some signs of loosening and makes some cracking noises but will not slide out so when the next cycle starts, it builds up more ice on top of the existing sheet and so on. If you turn the unit off right after the ice production cycle stops, the ice will melt enough to slide out on its own in about 5 minutes. You can then turn it back on and repeat the same process. Does the ice maker heat the plate to break it free or what is suppose to cause the sheet of ice to free itself from the plate? We did clean everything many times! Any ideas?

Did you both use the nickle cleaner to clean the machine. There is something, either a dirty cold plate or something that is keeping it from sliding. The cold plate does heat up from the compressor. It uses a reversing valve to put the hot refrigerant through the cold plate to release it. It does not use a heater.