Error Codes
Which is better, top mount or bottom mount refrigerator?
A top-mount refrigerator like the Maytag MRT118FFFH09 is usually the better choice when you want lower upfront cost, simple reliability, and strong energy efficiency. A bottom-mount is usually better when you want the fresh-food section at eye level and easier everyday access to refrigerated items.
Quick comparison (what most homeowners notice)
| Feature | Top-mount (freezer on top) | Bottom-mount (freezer on bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday access | Freezer is easiest to reach | Fresh food is easiest to reach |
| Typical price | Lower | Higher |
| Complexity | Simpler design | More drawers, rails, and seals |
| Organization | Basic shelves and bins | Often better freezer organization |
| Best for | Budget, reliability | Convenience, frequent fresh-food use |
How to choose for your kitchen and habits
- If you open the refrigerator section far more than the freezer, a bottom-mount feels more convenient day to day.
- If you want fewer moving parts and straightforward serviceability, a top-mount is the practical pick.
- If you have back or knee pain, bending for freezer drawers can be a deciding factor.
- If you store lots of frozen foods, bottom-mount freezer drawers can be easier to organize.
- If you are replacing an older fridge and want a familiar layout, top-mount is the closest match.
Why it matters
“Better” depends on what you touch most often. Refrigerator layout affects food visibility, how long doors stay open (temperature stability), and how much wear you put on door gaskets, rollers, and drawer tracks over time.
Parts and upkeep tips (either style)
- Keep doors sealing tightly; a worn gasket wastes energy and causes temperature swings.
- If you notice warm temps or weak airflow, check the evaporator fan area; airflow problems are common across designs.
- For MRT118FFFH09 repairs, we list model-matched parts such as the refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 and refrigerator door gasket (white) W10861499.
Last updated: February 2026
What is a fridge with freezer on top called?
A fridge with the freezer on top is called a top-freezer refrigerator, also commonly called a top-mount refrigerator. Your Maytag MRT118FFFH09 is this style, with the freezer compartment above the fresh-food compartment and separate side-swing doors.
Common names you will see
- Top-freezer refrigerator
- Top-mount refrigerator
- Freezer-on-top refrigerator
- Two-door top-freezer (separate freezer and refrigerator doors)
How to confirm you have a top-mount design
A top-mount (top-freezer) refrigerator has these traits:
- Freezer compartment is physically above the refrigerator section
- Two separate doors (one for freezer, one for fresh food)
- Cooling air is typically circulated from the freezer into the refrigerator section
- Often uses an evaporator fan in the freezer area to move cold air
Why it matters (parts and troubleshooting)
Knowing the style helps you match the right parts and diagnose common symptoms. For example, warm refrigerator temperatures with a cold freezer often point to an airflow issue, such as a failing evaporator fan motor.
Quick example: common symptom vs likely area
| Symptom | What it often points to | Example part for MRT118FFFH09 |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer cold, fridge warm | Airflow/evaporator fan issue | Refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 |
| Door not sealing, moisture/frost | Door gasket not sealing | Refrigerator door gasket (white) W10861499 |
| Frost buildup on back freezer panel | Defrost system issue | Defrost heat W11562215 |
Related DIY help
If you suspect an airflow problem in a top-mount refrigerator, we recommend starting with how to fix your evaporator cooling fan.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the disadvantages of a top mount fridge?
Top-mount refrigerators like the Maytag MRT118FFFH09 are reliable and efficient, but the main disadvantages are convenience and organization: fresh-food items sit lower (more bending), freezer access is higher, and you typically get fewer built-in storage and dispenser features than many bottom-freezer designs.
Common drawbacks you may notice
- More bending for daily use: the refrigerator compartment is below the freezer, so you reach down more often for produce, drinks, and leftovers.
- Less flexible organization: many top-mount layouts have fewer adjustable bins, drawers, and specialty zones.
- Fewer premium features: external water and ice dispensers are less common on this style.
- Door-seal sensitivity: if doors are opened often or not closing squarely, warm air leaks can cause frost or temperature swings.
- Smaller freezer ergonomics: items can stack and get buried, especially in narrower top-freezer shelves.
Quick comparison: top-mount vs bottom-freezer
| Feature | Top-mount refrigerator | Bottom-freezer refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food access | Lower (more bending) | Higher (more convenient) |
| Freezer access | Higher (easy reach) | Lower (pull-out drawer) |
| Organization features | Usually simpler | Often more flexible |
| Dispenser options | Less common | More common |
What to do if the “disadvantages” are causing problems
If the issue is day-to-day usability, a few small fixes usually help more than you expect:
- Keep the most-used items on the middle refrigerator shelves to reduce bending.
- Avoid blocking air vents with tall containers; airflow matters in a top-mount design.
- If the door does not seal tightly, inspect and clean the gasket; replace it if it is torn or warped (for example, refrigerator door gasket (white) W10861499).
- If temperatures vary between shelves, check for strong airflow from the freezer into the fresh-food section; a weak fan can reduce circulation (see how to fix your evaporator cooling fan).
Why it matters
Most “top-mount disadvantages” show up as comfort and consistency issues: more reaching and bending, plus a higher chance of warm-air leaks or airflow problems affecting food freshness. Addressing sealing and airflow keeps temperatures stable and reduces frost.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the top part of a refrigerator called?
In a Maytag top-mount refrigerator like model MRT118FFFH09, the top compartment is called the freezer compartment (often just “the freezer”). It’s the section designed to keep foods frozen and, on many models, it can also support an optional ice maker.
What you’ll typically find in the top (freezer) section
- Freezer shelves or a freezer shelf assembly
- Ice cube trays or an optional automatic ice maker
- Air vents that circulate cold air to the fresh food section
- A freezer door gasket that seals the door closed
- Temperature control features (varies by model)
Freezer vs. refrigerator: quick comparison
| Compartment | Common name | Main purpose | Typical temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top compartment | Freezer | Keeps food frozen long-term | About 0°F |
| Bottom compartment | Fresh food section (refrigerator) | Keeps food cold (not frozen) | About 37°F to 40°F |
Why it matters
Knowing the correct name helps when you’re ordering parts or troubleshooting cooling issues. For example, if the freezer is cold but the refrigerator section is warm, airflow parts like the evaporator fan are often involved.
Parts that relate to freezer cooling and sealing (MRT118FFFH09)
If you’re diagnosing poor cooling, frost buildup, or warm temperatures, these model-matched parts are commonly involved:
- Refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 (moves cold air through the freezer and into the refrigerator section)
- Defrost heat W11562215 (helps clear frost from the evaporator during defrost cycles)
- Refrigerator door gasket (white) W10861499 (helps prevent warm air leaks that cause frost and temperature swings)
Last updated: February 2026
What causes a Maytag refrigerator to stop cooling?
A Maytag MRT118FFFH09 top-mount refrigerator usually stops cooling because heat cannot be released (dirty condenser area), cold air cannot circulate (failed fan), or the sealed system is not moving refrigerant correctly. Start with airflow and cleaning checks before suspecting sealed-system issues.
Most common causes (in order to check)
- Dirty condenser coils or blocked airflow under/behind the refrigerator
- Evaporator fan not running (freezer fan that pushes cold air to the fresh-food section)
- Condenser fan not running (fan near the compressor that removes heat)
- Frosted-over evaporator from a defrost failure
- Air damper stuck closed (cold air not entering the refrigerator section)
- Sealed-system problem (low refrigerant charge/leak, weak compressor)
Quick troubleshooting steps we recommend
- Confirm temperatures: set freezer near 0°F and refrigerator near 37°F.
- Listen for fans:
- Open the freezer door; press the door switch and listen for the evaporator fan.
- Listen near the back/bottom for the condenser fan.
- Clean the condenser area: unplug the unit; vacuum dust from the coil area and fan intake.
- Check for heavy frost on the freezer back wall (a solid frost sheet points to defrost trouble).
- Check door sealing: a poor seal causes warm air leaks and icing that blocks airflow.
Parts that commonly fix “not cooling” symptoms
If your checks point to a failed fan or a leaking door seal, these model-matched parts are common solutions:
| Symptom you notice | Likely area | Part that often resolves it |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer cold but fridge warm; no airflow | Evaporator fan | Refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 |
| Warm cabinet; compressor area hot; no fan noise | Condenser fan | Cond fan,mla W11127829 |
| Moisture, frost, or warm spots around door edge | Door seal | Refrigerator door gasket (white) W10861499 or refrigerator door gasket (white) W10838574 |
Why it matters
Cooling depends on two things working together: heat removal at the condenser and cold-air circulation from the evaporator. A simple airflow issue (dust, fan failure, door gasket leak) can mimic a major compressor problem, so checking the basics first saves time and prevents food loss.
Last updated: February 2026
