How far should a fridge stick out past the counter?
Most refrigerators like the Amana ABC2037DTW will extend past a standard 24-inch-deep counter; plan on about 4 to 8 inches of refrigerator body beyond the countertop, plus additional space for door and handle swing. The “right” amount is whatever still allows full door opening and safe walkway clearance.
- Standard-depth refrigerators: typically end up 4 to 8 inches past the counter face.
- Counter-depth refrigerators: typically end up 1 to 3 inches past the counter face (often mostly door thickness).
- Airflow clearance: leave at least 1 inch behind and above when possible; more is better if your space allows.
- Door swing clearance: make sure doors can open wide enough to pull out crisper drawers and shelves.
- Walkway clearance: keep a comfortable path in front of the refrigerator so doors do not block traffic.
- Measure counter depth from the wall to the counter front (most are about 24 inches).
- Measure the refrigerator cabinet depth (box only) and overall depth (including doors and handles).
- Subtract counter depth from the refrigerator overall depth to estimate how far it will “stick out.”
- Add clearance for door swing and drawer pull-out.
| Refrigerator style | Typical stick-out past a 24-inch counter | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard-depth | 4 to 8 inches | Maximum storage |
| Counter-depth | 1 to 3 inches | Flush, built-in look |
If the refrigerator protrudes too far, doors can hit nearby walls or islands, drawers may not slide out fully, and the unit can restrict airflow. Poor airflow makes the compressor and condenser work harder, which can lead to warmer temps and higher energy use.
If you are adjusting placement because of cooling or airflow concerns, these parts are commonly involved in temperature and circulation issues:
- Refrigerator electronic control board WPW10503278
- Evaporator motor WPW10128551
- Refrigerator evaporator fan blade WP2169142
You can order replacement parts for your Amana ABC2037DTW from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the disadvantages of a bottom freezer?
Bottom-freezer refrigerators like the Amana ABC2037DTW put fresh food at eye level, but the tradeoffs are higher purchase cost, more bending to reach frozen items, and drawer-style freezers that can feel “deep” and harder to sort. They can also be more prone to drain and defrost-related messes if maintenance is skipped.
- More bending and lifting: you reach down for everything in the freezer, including heavy bags and bins.
- Deep drawer organization: items can stack and get buried, especially small packages.
- Ice access can be less convenient: depending on the design, ice storage and retrieval may require more crouching.
- Potential for water/ice issues: clogged drains or defrost problems can lead to puddles or frost buildup.
- Higher upfront cost: bottom-mount designs often cost more than comparable top-freezer models.
| Feature | Bottom freezer | Top freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food access | Easier (eye level) | More bending |
| Freezer access | More bending | Easier |
| Organization | Deep drawers, can bury items | Shelves, often simpler |
| Typical price | Higher | Lower |
If you use frozen food daily, the extra bending and “digging” in a deep drawer can become a real annoyance. If you use fresh food more often, the eye-level refrigerator section is usually the biggest everyday benefit.
- Use bins or baskets to group foods (breakfast items, vegetables, meats).
- Label and rotate frozen foods so older items stay on top.
- Keep the freezer no more than about 75% full so air can circulate.
- If you see water under the refrigerator, address it quickly; use our guide how to get rid of refrigerator puddles.
- For water and ice performance, replace the filter on schedule; the compatible filter for this model is refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1.
We list common replacement parts for the Amana ABC2037DTW on this page (water filter, ice maker, control board, inlet valve, evaporator fan parts). For additional parts by model number, search on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Are bottom mount fridges better?
Bottom-mount refrigerators like the Amana ABC2037DTW are better for many kitchens because the fresh-food section sits at eye and waist level, so everyday items are easier to reach; the freezer stays in a lower drawer where it is used less often.
A bottom-mount design tends to feel better day-to-day when you use the refrigerator section more than the freezer.
- Less bending for milk, produce, and leftovers
- Wider, drawer-style freezer storage for bulky items
- Better organization for fresh foods (shelves and crispers are front-and-center)
- Good fit for cooks who access fresh ingredients frequently
- Often easier to see what you have, which reduces food waste
Bottom-mount is not automatically the best for every household.
- If you use the freezer more than the fridge, a top-freezer can be more convenient
- Freezer drawers can feel heavier when fully loaded
- Some kitchens need a narrower swing path; drawer clearance matters
- If you have mobility limits, bending for the freezer drawer can be a drawback
| Feature | Bottom-mount refrigerator | Top-freezer refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food access | Best (most-used items higher) | Good, but lower shelves require more bending |
| Freezer access | Lower drawer | Upper door |
| Freezer organization | Strong (baskets/drawers) | Simpler shelves |
| Best for | Fresh-food focused households | Freezer-heavy households, budget-focused |
Layout affects comfort and food quality. Keeping fresh foods at a more ergonomic height makes it easier to maintain proper temperatures, close doors fully, and avoid leaving the door open while searching.
If you are maintaining water and ice features on the ABC2037DTW, we list model-matched parts on this page, and you can also search by model at Sears PartsDirect.
- Refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1 (water taste and flow)
- Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker (D7824706Q) D7824706Q (ice production)
- Refrigerator water inlet valve assembly WP67006531 (water supply to dispenser/ice maker)
For water-and-ice upkeep tips, use how to replace the water filter in an Amana refrigerator.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the best bottom mount fridge?
The “best” bottom-mount refrigerator is the one that fits your kitchen, holds the food you buy weekly, and stays cold consistently with minimal noise and frost. If you already own an Amana ABC2037DTW, the best value is usually keeping it running efficiently with the right maintenance and replacement parts from Sears PartsDirect.
- Capacity and layout: adjustable shelves, usable crisper space, and a freezer that fits your typical items.
- Temperature stability: steady fresh-food temps around 37°F and freezer around 0°F.
- Energy efficiency: good door seals, clean condenser area, and proper airflow.
- Ice and water reliability: consistent fill, no leaks, and good filtration.
- Serviceability: common wear parts are available and straightforward to replace.
These are the most common upgrades and fixes that improve day-to-day performance:
| Symptom you notice | What to check first | Parts that often solve it |
|---|---|---|
| Slow ice, no ice, or small cubes | Water supply, fill issues, filter age | Refrigerator water filter EDR4RXD1, whirlpool refrigerator ice maker (D7824706Q) D7824706Q |
| Warm fridge, freezer OK (or uneven temps) | Airflow and damper operation | Refrigerator damper control assembly WP67003903 |
| Warm temps plus fan noise or no airflow | Evaporator fan function | Evaporator motor WPW10128551, refrigerator evaporator fan blade WP2169142 |
| Clicking, won’t start, intermittent cooling | Start components | Refrigerator start device W10613606 |
| Water leaking or not dispensing | Valve and connections | Refrigerator water inlet valve assembly WP67006531, refrigerator water supply tube union, 5/16 x 5/16-in WP2300868 |
Bottom-mount fridges feel “better” when they hold temperature and humidity steadily. Simple items like a fresh water filter, strong airflow from the evaporator fan, and a properly working damper reduce food spoilage, freezer burn, and nuisance issues like slow ice production.
- Use our step-by-step article: how to replace the water filter in an Amana refrigerator
Last updated: February 2026





