Amana ART318FFDW10 refrigerator Parts

A fridge with the freezer on top is called a top-freezer refrigerator, also commonly called a top-mount refrigerator. Your Amana ART318FFDW10 is this style, with the freezer compartment above the fresh-food compartment.

What “top-freezer” (top-mount) means

A top-freezer refrigerator has two separate compartments stacked vertically:

• Freezer on top for frozen food storage
• Refrigerator on bottom for fresh food storage
• Two swing doors (one for each compartment) that open from the side
• Shared cooling system that circulates cold air between sections

Quick comparison of common refrigerator styles

Style name	Freezer location	Typical door layout	Common benefit
Top-freezer (top-mount)	Top	Two swing doors	Classic layout, efficient use of space
Bottom-freezer	Bottom	Upper swing door + lower drawer	Fresh foods at eye level
Side-by-side	Left side	Two tall swing doors	Narrow door swing, easy freezer access
French door	Bottom	Two upper doors + lower drawer	Wide fresh-food shelves

Why it matters

Knowing the style helps when you’re shopping for parts, organizing airflow, or troubleshooting cooling issues. For example, top-freezer models like the ART318FFDW10 rely heavily on the evaporator fan to move cold air from the freezer into the refrigerator section.

• If the refrigerator section is warm but the freezer is cold, airflow is often the issue.
• If you hear squealing or rattling from the freezer area, the fan motor or blade can be involved.

If you’re diagnosing airflow problems, we recommend starting with how to fix your evaporator cooling fan and checking the refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 if the fan is not running.

Last updated: January 2026

A “better” choice depends on how you use your kitchen. For an Amana top-mount like model ART318FFDW10, top-mount designs typically cost less to buy and run, while bottom-mount designs usually put fresh food at eye level and can feel easier to organize day to day.

Quick comparison

Feature	Top-mount (freezer on top)	Bottom-mount (freezer on bottom)
Fresh-food access	Lower shelves require more bending	Fresh food is at eye/waist level
Freezer access	Easy to reach	Often a pull-out drawer
Typical price	Lower	Higher
Energy use	Often slightly lower	Often slightly higher
Storage feel	Simple, straightforward	Often more “organized” layouts

When a top-mount is the better fit

We recommend a top-mount refrigerator when you want reliable, efficient cooling with fewer “extras” to maintain.

• You want a budget-friendly replacement
• You use the freezer often and want it at chest height
• You prefer a simpler layout with fewer drawers and mechanisms
• You want a design that is typically easier to service
• You have a tighter kitchen space and want a straightforward door swing

When a bottom-mount is the better fit

A bottom-mount is usually the better choice when fresh-food convenience matters most.

• You cook frequently and access the refrigerator section many times per day
• You want less bending for produce, dairy, and leftovers
• You like wide shelves and crisper organization
• You store bulky frozen items and prefer a deep pull-out drawer

Why it matters

The “best” refrigerator is the one that matches your habits. If you open the refrigerator section far more than the freezer, bottom-mount convenience can outweigh the higher cost. If you want value and efficiency, a top-mount like ART318FFDW10 is often the smarter pick.

Related maintenance tip for top-mount cooling

If you ever notice warm temperatures or weak airflow in the fresh-food section, the evaporator fan system is a common place to check. The refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539 is one of the key parts that drives cold-air circulation.

Last updated: January 2026

If your Amana ART318FFDW10 top-mount refrigerator freezer is not freezing, the most common causes are restricted airflow from frost buildup, a failed evaporator fan, dirty condenser coils, or a temperature-sensing/control issue. Start with airflow and frost checks, then test the fan and sensors.

Quick checks we recommend first

• Confirm the freezer temperature control is set colder and the door is closing tightly.
• Look for heavy frost on the freezer back wall (a strong sign of a defrost problem).
• Listen for the evaporator fan running when the compressor is on (door switch held in).
• Check that vents between freezer and fresh food are not blocked by packages.
• Clean dust from the condenser coil area and verify the condenser fan (if equipped) runs.

What the symptoms usually mean

What you notice	Most likely cause	What to do next
Frost blanket on freezer back wall	Defrost system not clearing ice	Defrost manually to restore airflow, then diagnose heater/thermostat/timer/control
Freezer warm, fridge also warm	Airflow or sealed system issue	Check fan operation and coil cleanliness; if compressor runs but no cooling, service is needed
Freezer warm, fan noisy or not spinning	Evaporator fan problem	Inspect blade for ice/rubbing; replace motor or blade if damaged
Temps swing, food soft then refreezes	Sensor/control issue	Check thermistor placement and wiring; replace sensor if out of range

Parts that commonly fix “not freezing” on this model

• Refrigerator evaporator fan motor WP2315539: moves cold air across the evaporator and through the freezer; failure causes weak or no airflow.
• Thermistor, refrigerator W11438736: reports temperature to the control; a bad reading can prevent proper run time.
• Condenser coil cleaning (maintenance item): restores heat removal so the compressor can cool effectively.

Why it matters

A freezer that is not freezing is usually an airflow problem first; when airflow is blocked by ice or a fan failure, the evaporator cannot circulate cold air, so temperatures rise quickly and food safety becomes a concern.

Helpful DIY guidance

• Use how to fix your evaporator cooling fan to diagnose fan noise, no-spin conditions, and airflow symptoms.

Last updated: January 2026