Thread Number: 85927  /  Tag: Refrigerators
Top or Bottom Freezer
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Post# 1104822   1/17/2021 at 08:00 (1,166 days old) by roscoe62 (Canada)        

I have an Amana bottom freezer refrigerator, 2 years old now and it's on the kick again with no cold air in the fridge part. About a year ago I had same issue, repair guy said it was a good fridge, a basic Maytag (?). Should I give up the ghost and be looking at something new now, is a top freezer model more reliable, brand name? Any help would be appreciated. Thank-You.




Post# 1104838 , Reply# 1   1/17/2021 at 11:08 (1,166 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

First thing to try in this situation is to check if the damper between the freezer and fridge is iced over.  Not a fun thing a you need to get to the back  the freezer.  You could aim a hair dryer on low toward the area or empty the unit and leave it open for 24 hours. If the unit cools the freezer then the basic stuff if OK, could come down to a defrost issue or as mentioned a blocked airway related to a defrost issue.


Post# 1104855 , Reply# 2   1/17/2021 at 14:44 (1,166 days old) by WhiteWhiskers (Silicon Valley, California)        

whitewhiskers's profile picture
I have a 20 year old Amana, freezer on the bottom. Two failures that can cause your symptoms are a bad evaporator fan and bad defrost thermostat. I've had both go bad. If the fan stops turning or the thermostat goes bad, the coils freeze up solid and no cold air will blow into the refrigerator compartment.
Both components are easily found and replaced, and cheaper than buying a whole new box.


Post# 1104857 , Reply# 3   1/17/2021 at 14:47 (1,166 days old) by philcobendixduo (San Jose)        
Top Freezer....

philcobendixduo's profile picture
.....models are the most energy efficient and the most trouble free.
Whirlpool was top rated when I bought mine in 2011.
It's still working fine at almost 10 years old.
Mine has no ice maker because I can make my own ice and I know ice makers are trouble-prone.


Post# 1104858 , Reply# 4   1/17/2021 at 14:48 (1,166 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

For some reason that maybe some experts here can explain, top freezer models have a better reputation for reliability than do bottom freezer types.

 

I really don't care, since I reach into my refrigerator several times per day, and if had to choose between a TF and a BF model, ease of use would be the #1 priority, and that means freezer on the bottom.  A short person may prefer a top freezer model for the same/opposite reason.

 

Currently I have a side-by-side which was the best option for the small kitchen space in our previous home, and it's much easier to find in-door ice and water dispensers, which I use regularly, on a side-by-side.  If I were inclined to recreate a MCM vintage kitchen, a bottom freezer GE Combination with swing-out shelves would be my preference.


Post# 1104860 , Reply# 5   1/17/2021 at 14:58 (1,166 days old) by sfh074 ( )        
Had the same issue ......

Relocated the defrost ice sensor up higher next to where the lines come into the cabinet at the evaporator ..... and noticed there was a gap in the cabinet and lines ..... which was allowing moist air to come in and make a huge ice dam much higher in the evap coil above the defrost heater.

I took aluminum tape duct tape and sealed up the area allowing the moist air to enter, and moved the defrost ice sensor up in that area as well.

Before doing this the evap would freeze up every summer when the humidity was high and fill the fresh produce tray with water. It would ice up so bad the evap drain would fill with ice.

After my tinkering, 5 years now and never had the issue again. The defrost cycle can now keep up.


Post# 1104866 , Reply# 6   1/17/2021 at 15:57 (1,166 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
We had one of these Amana bottom freezer refrigerators that we bought around 9-11 in 2001. It was the worst refrigerator I’ve ever owned. The milk always turned sour and the lettuce froze no matter how the thermostat was adjusted. And the box itself wasn’t plumb and couldn’t be leveled so the door always swung completely open and banged the wall.

We got rid of it in 2005 and replaced it with a GE top freezer 18 cu ft BOL with wire shelves and no ice maker. It was a great fridge. We liked it so much that when we replaced it in 2017, not because there was anything wrong with it, but because we wanted a fridge with a smaller footprint, we bought another GE top freezer 15.5 cu ft. BOL. This is our current fridge and we love it. Never a problem, everything stays fresh or frozen appropriately and the thermostat never needs adjustment. I ordered an extra shelf and with the extra shelf we have the same fresh food shelf room as the larger 18 cu ft model had.

BTW, I prefer wire shelves, no fear of breakage of a glass shelf, and warm food cools more quickly. Also, I’m not a fan of ice makers either, just one more thing to go on the fritz plus they take up a lot of space. We don’t use a lot of ice anyway. But when we have company or need extra ice for a threatened power outage I can make enough ice to half way fill the whole freezer compartment storing it in large plastic bags, in a day just using the ice trays.

I think that GE makes a great Top Mount Freezer, no frills refrigerator for a reasonable price. I’d buy another in a hot second.

Eddie


Post# 1104869 , Reply# 7   1/17/2021 at 17:22 (1,166 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Ah yes, back in the late 50's-early 60's we had a bottom freezer GE. And it had those cool rotating shelves in the upper section. I was used to the old fridge and kept opening the bottom drawer by mistake, and got yelled at for it. LOL. Also for playing with the rotating shelves.

It gave me appliance-phobia issues for years. Ha.


Post# 1104871 , Reply# 8   1/17/2021 at 18:40 (1,166 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

I have an Amana bottom-freezer refrigerator that was purchased in 1997, and is a Raytheon product. I've never had any issues with it. Eddie, if yours was made in 2001 it would be from when Goodman owned Amana. I heard the quality was lacking during that time. They are now Whirlpool, of course.

Post# 1104896 , Reply# 9   1/18/2021 at 00:29 (1,166 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Cold air falls. Warm air rises. On that basis, a bottom freezer makes some sense, except it means you have to have fan system to circulate cold air from the bottom freezer up to the fresh food section. This is not necessary with an elementary top freezer design, especially if the freezer compartment is contained within the fresh food compartment.

Granted that modern top freezer designs may also have louvers to make sure the freezer section stays frozen and the fresh food section doesn't get too cold or too warm. I did have a problem with the 2005 Kitchenaid top freezer unit in the unheated enclosed patio one winter, when the passage between the freezer and the fresh food compartment iced up. I still don't know why, but it was a kind of a chore to pull everything out of the freezer, along with the roller shelf, and use a hair dryer to get rid of the ice. It hasn't happened again, knock on wood. I don't think there are any fans involved, though, just a louver mechanism.

My favorite fridge design is the SxS, for the reasons already mentioned.


Post# 1105042 , Reply# 10   1/19/2021 at 07:39 (1,164 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Top Freezer Vs A Bottom freezer Refrigerator

combo52's profile picture

TFs make more sense form an engineering perspective, Cold air falls that's why Ice Boxes and all early refs had the ice or the evaporator [ freezer section ] at the top.

 

Nearly All TF, BF, and SXSs have fans to circulate cold air from the freezer section to the fresh food section today so it does not make a lot of difference where the freezer section is today in terms of effectiveness cost of operation etc.

 

John L.


Post# 1105095 , Reply# 11   1/19/2021 at 12:18 (1,164 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Thanks John, that was my feeling.  With fans handling distribution of cold air, having the freezer on the bottom shouldn't make any difference. 

 

It wasn't until we got a '75 Coldspot side-by-side that I learned that the supposed "cold control" for the freezer section was nothing more than a knob that adjusted air flow.  The system worked well though, with the actual thermostatic control in the fresh food section set slightly higher than 3, and the air control in the freezer around 4.  Temperatures in both sections were consistent year 'round.


Post# 1105787 , Reply# 12   1/25/2021 at 11:35 (1,158 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        

dermacie's profile picture
I have had bad luck with refrigerators. But I concur with Edie because the two best I have had were GE. I current have one now and I love it. It is a side-by-side model. I always by side-by-sides.

Post# 1105795 , Reply# 13   1/25/2021 at 12:12 (1,158 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I have a top freezer that came with the apartment. The next time I buy one it will be either a BF or a SxS. I've had both and both are infinitely better.

With my current TF I can only see about half the contents and reach at most 1/3 without pain. No thank you. I'll happily pay a bit more and take my chances with the supposed lower reliability. :-)


Post# 1105800 , Reply# 14   1/25/2021 at 12:52 (1,158 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

The thing that really annoys me with cheap TF models is that they often don't provide enough clearance between the floor and the bottom edge of the door.  All too often, the door hits the top of my shoe and gets stuck.  I've had this experience since my younger days living in rental housing, and more recently in many vacation rentals.  This design also leads to stooping even lower to get to crisper contents.    Just one of the reasons I prefer either a SxS or BF type.  

 

Interesting how nobody is singing the praises of French door models.  I ditched the one that was in our new house and brought our SxS from our previous home to replace it.  The design offered no place for 1/2 gallon of milk other than in-the-door, which is the warmest part of the refrigerated space.   Yeah, no.  The ice bin in the freezer drawer was difficult to access even when using a scoop.  Pure Samsung junk, but it enlightened me about the shortcomings of French door models.  Don't even get me started about the flipper contraptions on the French doors that require a good push in order to achieve a positive seal.


Post# 1105805 , Reply# 15   1/25/2021 at 13:13 (1,158 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

To each his own.  I’ve never had any trouble with the bottom of my TF door hitting the top of my foot.

 

 And stooping to access the crisper isn’t that onerous for me, granted I’m only 5’6” ( was almost 5’8” in my 20’s, but have shrunk with age and 2 hip replacements) I consider it a beneficial exercise LOL.  With a SXS you also have to stoop to access anything on the lower shelves, plus with the narrow shelves in a SXS anything that is wider than the shelves you’re SOL being able to put it in the fridge.  Think about having a party and needing to keep a large party tray of food or a sheet cake cold.  

 

With any refrigerator there will be pros and cons, the user needs to decide whats most important to them.  For me  I don’t want some behemoth of a refrigerator taking up valuable space in my small kitchen.  My small TF gives me plenty of usable storage space and fits nicely in my small kitchen.

 

All the space in my cheap BOL 16 cu TF GE is useable!  No wasted space with needless, gimmicky crap that can break.  I also agree with Ralph about those flap closures on the french door models.  I’ve looked at these in stores and was not impressed.  I bet these flaps are one of the first things to break on these expensive refrigerators.

 

Eddie 

 




This post was last edited 01/25/2021 at 13:32
Post# 1105812 , Reply# 16   1/25/2021 at 13:45 (1,158 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

I agree that it's definitely a tall person issue Eddie, and I can certainly appreciate the concept of the simpler, the better.   As many here know, I prefer a knob that provides twist-and-go results over the interminable pressing action of a menu-based touchpad just to turn on an oven, start a load of laundry, or even more ridiculous -- start up a slow cooker.   I'm an unapologetic low-tech luddite in this regard.

 

I've never had the shoe clearance issue with a SxS or BF model, old or new, or even with my '57 GE Combination TF model, mainly because their mechanical systems involve a forced-draft condenser coil underneath the box, which increases the distance between the floor and the bottom edge of the door.    This design also allows for zero clearance at top, back, and sides in situations where every spare inch of kitchen space matters.  My KA SxS fridge had to be shoehorned into the space where the French door Samsung was, but thanks to the bottom-mounted condenser, no extra clearance was required.  These are all things to think about when considering a new refrigerator.


Post# 1105813 , Reply# 17   1/25/2021 at 13:51 (1,158 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City)        

ultramatic's profile picture

 

 

Consumer Reports recently wrote bottom freezer refrigerators are more troublesome.


Post# 1105815 , Reply# 18   1/25/2021 at 14:22 (1,158 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Fridge doors hitting shoes...

sudsmaster's profile picture
Perhaps Ralph needs to retire his platform shoes?

(Just kidding, Ralph. You know I luv ya!)


Post# 1105819 , Reply# 19   1/25/2021 at 15:00 (1,158 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Well Rich, you were close.  I wear a size 13, D-width or larger.  I've even had to buy certain brands of shoes in a 14.


Post# 1105820 , Reply# 20   1/25/2021 at 15:03 (1,158 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture

Well there you go Ralph. I wear size 7EEE so theres more space between the bottom of the door and my shoes for me😊.  Also, we never wear shoes in the house to keep the off white carpet clean.

 

Eddie


Post# 1105831 , Reply# 21   1/25/2021 at 16:42 (1,158 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        
I wear a size 13, D-width or larger.

qsd-dan's profile picture
Your email is probably bursting with messages now, lol.

Post# 1105844 , Reply# 22   1/25/2021 at 19:11 (1,158 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Yeah Dan, that myth about shoe size doesn't apply to me, I'm afraid.  At least not in the way one might imagine a size 13 or 14 foot would.  Above average, yes, monstrous, sorry to disappoint but no.


Post# 1105849 , Reply# 23   1/25/2021 at 19:47 (1,158 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Big Foot!!!

sudsmaster's profile picture
Here's a ready solution: Get a vintage 1940's-early 50's fridge. Most have the door raised at least six inches above floor level.

PS-I just tested the circa 2003 KA fridge on my patio. The door will hit my slippered foot befoe it hits my leg. Not the toe, but the slippers are about 1/16" above ground level so that's a factor.

I always step to the side of the door before opening it. Perhaps Ralph could do that, unless there's some kitchen arrangement that would make that impossible.


Post# 1105853 , Reply# 24   1/25/2021 at 20:26 (1,158 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Rich, that's exactly my beef -- that I'd have to train myself to step aside.   Not happening.  Dealing with those low-clearance refrigerator doors annoys me no end. 

 

And I have news for you:  My '52 Kelvinator's door is full length (height?).  The un-refrigerated tilt-out vegetable bin that's commonly found at the bottom of most vintage Kelvinators is inside the cabinet on mine.   But the door's edge is still high enough to clear my shoe, so it's all good.


Post# 1105863 , Reply# 25   1/26/2021 at 01:23 (1,158 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Well, Ralph, I'm sure for a small fee you could find someone to train you to toe the line, so to speak.


Post# 1105864 , Reply# 26   1/26/2021 at 01:44 (1,158 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

Interesting. I wear 10.5 EEEEE (no regular shoe store for me!) and I've never owned a refrigerator with a door that hit my feet. But now that I think about it, I think all my refrigerators have vented in the front.

Yeah, the shoe size theory...... I don't know if/how width factors into it..... But all the percentile tables tell me I match my ~85th percentile height.


Post# 1105866 , Reply# 27   1/26/2021 at 01:59 (1,158 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        
Wearing your SHOES there?!

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Yuk, who wears something you walk out on the streets and in public buildings and public restrooms in front of something or somewhere (your kitchen) where you are going to eat whatever falls on the floor and want that floor to stay clean enough that you can do that?!



-- Dave


Post# 1105868 , Reply# 28   1/26/2021 at 03:00 (1,158 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Who eats stuff that falls on the kitchen floor?

Or, at least, who would admit that they did?


Post# 1105870 , Reply# 29   1/26/2021 at 04:02 (1,157 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

I have 4 indoor cats...I don't eat stuff that falls on the floor.


Post# 1105873 , Reply# 30   1/26/2021 at 06:42 (1,157 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
I have 2 basset hounds

ozzie908's profile picture
who patrol the kitchen waiting for said items to fall on the floor and you never get a chance to pick it up lol

Besides my floor is mopped regularly with a bleach solution so most likely less to worry about on my floor than some work surfaces I have seen ....

Austin


Post# 1105875 , Reply# 31   1/26/2021 at 07:23 (1,157 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
I just really meant my statement in being a general rule never to wear anything in such a crucial area that's been worn on surfaces that I would never want to eat off of...



-- Dave


Post# 1105987 , Reply# 32   1/27/2021 at 11:09 (1,156 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Dave,

this thread jarred my memory of the early 80's. Do you recall the local channel 62 tv commerical for "Numark" pest spray? It aired during the afternoon dance show "The Scene" when the "snake" line dance was popular.
Two gal's were on the phone and one said, "girl, I was over ta their house, and they was everywhere!! She uesed the actual pest name though.



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