external dvd drive

I'm asking this question again because I've seen conflicting answers elsewhere:

the superdrive in my 2011 iMac (osHigh Sierra) just stopped working (physically does not accept disk, can't push in). I've tried possible solutions posted elsewhere, no luck. System reports sees the drive, disk utility does not.

Can I just plug in a cheap external dvd drive (eg: LG Slim Portable 8x USB 2.0 External DVD+/-RW)? Or any more steps to make the external work?

Thanks.