What is a top mount refrigerator?
A top-mount refrigerator is a classic fridge layout where the freezer compartment is on top and the fresh-food (refrigerator) compartment is below. Your Kenmore 25368972801 is a top-mount design, which keeps everyday refrigerated items at a comfortable reach height.
How a top-mount refrigerator is laid out
In a top-mount refrigerator like the Kenmore 25368972801, you typically get a straightforward two-door setup:
- Upper door: freezer section (frozen foods, ice trays or ice maker if equipped)
- Lower door: refrigerator section (fresh foods, shelves, crispers)
- Crisper drawers: help manage produce storage and humidity on some models
- Door bins: store frequently used items like milk, condiments, and bottles
- Shelves and racks: flexible storage for groceries and tall items
For model-specific features and storage options (such as humidity control, deli drawer, or special item rack), use the 25368972801 owner's manual.
Why people choose a top-mount design
Top-mount refrigerators remain popular because they balance capacity, simplicity, and cost.
- Usually more affordable than many French door or side-by-side styles
- Fewer complex components than dispenser-heavy designs
- Often good freezer space for the overall footprint
- Easy-to-understand temperature control and storage layout
Quick comparison: top-mount vs. other common styles
| Refrigerator style | Freezer location | Best for | Common tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-mount | Top | Value and simple storage | Freezer is at eye level, fresh food lower |
| Bottom freezer | Bottom | Fresh food at eye level | Freezer access requires bending |
| Side-by-side | Left/right | Narrow door swing, equal access | Narrower shelves for wide items |
| French door | Bottom drawer | Wide fresh-food space | Typically higher cost |
Why it matters
Knowing you have a top-mount refrigerator helps when you are troubleshooting cooling symptoms (freezer cold but fridge warm), organizing airflow around vents, or ordering the right storage parts like a crisper drawer 240337103.
Last updated: January 2026
What is the upper part of a fridge called?
On the Kenmore 25368972801 top-mount refrigerator, the upper part is the freezer compartment. It is the section designed to keep foods frozen, and on some models it also supports features like an automatic ice maker.
What the freezer compartment does
- Maintains temperatures cold enough to keep food frozen long-term
- Circulates cold air through the freezer (and helps cool the fresh-food section)
- Provides storage areas such as shelves and door bins for frozen items
- May include an ice maker system on equipped models
Freezer loading tips (to keep temperatures steady)
We recommend these habits to help your freezer cool efficiently:
- Avoid adding a lot of warm food at once; it can raise freezer temperature
- Leave space between packages so cold air can circulate
- Keep hard-to-freeze items (like ice cream) in the freezer interior, not the door
- Do not block air vents with oversized boxes or bags
Quick terminology guide
| What you call it | What it usually means | Where it is on this model type |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer compartment | The frozen-food section | Top (upper section) |
| Fresh-food compartment | The refrigerated section for everyday foods | Bottom |
| Freezer door shelves | Storage on the freezer door | Upper door |
Why it matters
Using the right name helps when you are following instructions in the 25368972801 owner's manual or ordering parts for the correct section (freezer vs fresh-food). It also helps when diagnosing cooling issues, airflow problems, or unusual fan and defrost-cycle sounds.
Last updated: January 2026
What water filter fits my Kenmore fridge?
For Kenmore model 25368972801, the correct water filter depends on whether your refrigerator is equipped with a built-in water filtration system (many top-mount models only have an ice maker water line). We use your full model number to match the exact filter style and connections listed in the 25368972801 owner's manual.
How to identify the right filter for 25368972801
Start by checking where filtration would be located on your refrigerator. If you do not see a filter housing, your model may not use a cartridge-style water filter.
- Look in the fresh food compartment for a filter head or twist-in cartridge
- Check the upper right corner, grille area, or back wall for a filter cover
- If you only have an ice maker water line connection, filtration is often optional and installed inline
- Confirm whether your unit has a water dispenser; dispensers almost always use a filter
- Use the model tag (inside the refrigerator) to ensure you are matching 25368972801 exactly
What the manual tells us about water connections
The documentation for this model focuses on connecting a ¼-inch (6.4 mm) OD household water supply line to the ice maker inlet valve and specifies 30 to 100 psi water pressure. That setup supports ice maker operation, but it does not automatically mean a cartridge filter is used.
| What you have | What it usually means | Filter type to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Ice maker only | Water feeds the inlet valve at the back | Optional inline filter (if desired) |
| Water dispenser (and ice) | Filtered water is required for taste and flow | Internal cartridge filter |
| No water hookup | No filtration needed | None |
If you want to add filtration
If your refrigerator does not have a built-in cartridge filter, an inline filter can still improve taste and reduce sediment.
- Install it in the ¼-inch water line behind the refrigerator
- Replace it on a regular schedule (commonly every 6 months)
- Flush the line after installation until water runs clear
For step-by-step filter selection and styles used across Kenmore refrigerators, use how to replace the water filter in a Kenmore refrigerator.
Why it matters
Using the correct filter (or the correct inline connection size) prevents leaks, protects the ice maker inlet valve, and helps avoid slow fill issues that can reduce ice production.
Last updated: January 2026
Is there a way to reset a Kenmore Elite refrigerator?
Yes. For Kenmore model 25368972801, the most reliable reset is a power reset: unplug the refrigerator (or switch off the breaker) for about 5 minutes, then restore power and allow the controls to restart. After resetting, confirm the temperature control is not set to 0 (OFF).
Recommended reset methods (in order)
- Power reset (best first step): Unplug for ~5 minutes, then plug back in.
- Breaker reset: Turn the refrigerator circuit breaker off for ~5 minutes, then back on.
- Control setting check: Make sure the refrigerator control is not turned to 0 (OFF).
- Stabilization time: After any reset or control change, allow 24 hours for temperatures to stabilize.
Safety and power tips
Because a reset involves power, we follow the electrical guidance for this model:
- Plug into a dedicated 115V, 60 Hz outlet.
- Use a properly grounded 3-prong receptacle.
- Do not use an extension cord or adapter plug.
- Grip the plug (do not pull the cord) when unplugging.
- Avoid outlets controlled by a wall switch.
For model-specific control locations and operating details, use the 25368972801 owner's manual.
What to check after a reset (quick troubleshooting)
If the refrigerator still is not cooling correctly after the reset:
- Verify the plug is fully seated in the outlet.
- Check the house fuse or reset the circuit breaker.
- Confirm the unit is not in a normal defrost cycle (wait about 20 minutes and recheck).
- Make sure the freezer and refrigerator controls are set to a cooling position (not 0/OFF).
- Listen for the evaporator fan; a failed fan can cause warm temperatures.
If you suspect an evaporator fan issue, the refrigerator evaporator fan motor 241854301 is a common related part for this model.
Common “reset” situations and what works
| Situation | What to do | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Power outage or control glitch | Power reset (5 minutes off) | Controls reboot; cooling resumes if no underlying fault |
| Temps were changed | Wait 24 hours | Temperatures gradually stabilize |
| Unit seems “off” | Confirm control not set to 0 (OFF) | Compressor and fans should cycle normally |
Why it matters
A reset clears minor control-board glitches, but it will not fix airflow problems, a failed fan motor, or sealed-system issues. Checking the control setting and allowing proper stabilization time prevents unnecessary part replacement.
Last updated: January 2026





