What can be profitably sold for scrap from an old refrigerator: disassembly details

An old refrigerator is not just bulky garbage, but a real “gold mine” for those who know how to disassemble it correctly. On average, one household unit contains up to 30–40 kg of metal, not only black, but also non-ferrous - copper, aluminum, brass. With proper disposal, you can get back some of the money spent on buying new equipment, or even make a profit if you deal with scrap metal regularly.

However, not all refrigerator parts are equally valuable. For example, compressor weighs up to 15 kg and contains copper, but it must be properly dismantled so as not to damage the winding. But not all collection points will accept plastic shelves or door seals - they are often considered “ballast”. In this article we will look at which parts of the refrigerator are profitable to hand overhow to remove them without risk to health, and where to find collection points with the highest prices.

Important: before disassembling, make sure that the refrigerator completely de-energized and disconnected from communications (if connected to the water supply). Older models produced before 2000scould use dangerous refrigerant R-12 (freon), which requires special disposal. Modern refrigerators are filled with less toxic substances, but they cannot simply be released into the atmosphere.

1. What metals are contained in the refrigerator and how much of them can be obtained

A refrigerator is a complex engineering product that combines different types of metals. Their share depends on the model and year of manufacture, but on average the distribution looks like this:

• 🔧 Ferrous metal (steel, cast iron) - 60–70% of the total mass. This is the body, shelves, doors, internal partitions. The price is the lowest, but the weight is high.
• 🟤 Copper — 5–10%. The most valuable metal: found in compressor windings, condenser tubes, and cables. Pure copper (without insulation) is the most expensive.
• ⚪ Aluminium — 3–7%. Used in radiators, some evaporator parts, fasteners.
• 🟡 Brass — 1–3%. It is found in fittings, valves, and less often in decorative elements of old models.
• ♻️ Stainless steel - up to 5%. In modern refrigerators, shelves or internal panels are often covered with it.

For clarity, we present the calculation for a typical refrigerator Samsung RL-34 (weight ~60 kg):

In total, you can get up to 4,000–5,000 rubles from one refrigerator, if you correctly separate the metals and hand them over to collection points with favorable rates. However, the real amount will be lower: some parts are difficult to remove without a special tool, and some items lower prices for “dirty” metal (with paint, rust, plastic).

⚠️ Attention: Scrap metal prices greatly depend on the region and market conditions. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, tariffs are higher than in small cities. Before delivery, check the current prices on the websites of local collection points or by phone.

2. Step-by-step disassembly of the refrigerator: what can be removed without tools

If you do not have an angle grinder or wrenches, do not despair - some of the valuable parts can be dismantled manually. Start with the simplest:

1. Remove shelves and drawers. In most models (Atlant, Indesit, LG) they are mounted on plastic or metal guides. Shelves made of stainless steel or glass with a metal frame will be accepted at collection points as stainless steel or ferrous metal.
2. Disconnect the doors. They are held on hinges, which are usually secured with bolts. If the bolts are rusty, treat them with WD-40. The doors weigh 5–10 kg and consist of steel with polyurethane foam insulation (it needs to be removed).
3. Take out the compressor. It is located at the back at the bottom and is secured with 3-4 bolts. Inside the compressor there is copper (winding) and steel (housing). Weight - 10–15 kg.
4. Remove the condenser (grid on the back wall). This is an aluminum or copper tube with steel fins. In old refrigerators (ZIL, Minsk), the condenser is often entirely copper - its price can reach 1 000–1,500 rub.

To dismantle these parts you will need:

• 🔧 Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat)
• 🔨 Hammer (for knocking out rusted bolts)
• 🗝️ Pliers
• 🧴 WD-40 or similar lubricant

Refrigerator and freezer doors

Shelves and containers (metal)

Compressor (unscrew the bolts)

Condenser (grid at the back)

Power cables (copper inside)

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If the refrigerator is Soviet (Biryusa, Oka, Nord), it may have an additional bonus - brass or copper parts of the cooling system. For example, in models ZIL-63 evaporator tubes were often made of copper with a thickness of 1–1.5 mm. Such parts weigh little, but are expensive.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to cut the refrigerator body without protective equipment! Polyurethane foam insulation may contain residues of freon or pentane - volatile substances that emit toxic fumes when heated. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

3. How to remove copper from a compressor and condenser: instructions with photos

The most valuable part of the refrigerator is copper, and the bulk of it is concentrated in the compressor and condenser tubes. To get it, follow these instructions:

🔹 Disassembling the compressor

The compressor looks like a black cylinder with tubes and electrical contacts. Inside it:

• 🟤 Copper winding (weight ~1–1.5 kg)
• ⚫ Steel case (weight ~10–12 kg)
• 🛢️ Oil and remaining refrigerant (need drain!

Procedure:

1. Cut the tubes going to the compressor (use a hacksaw).
2. Turn the compressor over and drain the oil into a container (it can be returned how working or dispose).
3. Use a grinder to carefully cut the body along the weld. Be careful - pressure may remain inside!
4. Remove the rotor with winding. Copper will be in the form of a thick wire (diameter 1–2 mm).
5. Clean the copper from varnish (you can burn it with a torch or soak it in a solvent).

How to distinguish pure copper from brass?

Pure copper has a reddish tint, is soft and bends effortlessly. Brass is yellower, harder and produces a characteristic “creaking” sound when bent. If you rub copper with sandpaper, it will shine like gold, and brass will remain matte.

🔹 Removing the condenser

The condenser is a grill on the back wall of the refrigerator. In modern models it is usually aluminum, but in older ones (Stinol, Donbass) it can be copper. To remove it:

1. Unscrew the fastening bolts or bend the clamps.
2. If the grille is welded, carefully cut it off with a grinder.
3. Separate the aluminum fins and copper tubes (if any).

Tip: Copper tubes can be sold whole - they are accepted as copper insulation (the price is lower than for pure copper, but there is no need to waste time on stripping). Hand over aluminum fins as aluminum scrap.

4. Where to donate metal from the refrigerator: collection points and prices

Not all scrap metal collection points are ready to accept refrigerator parts. Here's what you need to consider when choosing:

• 🏭 Large metal warehouses (for example, Vtorchermet, "Metalloinvest") - they accept all types of metals, but can lower prices for “dirty” scrap.
• ♻️ Specialized recycling points - often give a bonus for handing over the entire equipment (but you will pay for removal).
• 🚛 Mobile points - come to your home, but prices are 10-20% lower than stationary ones.
• 💰 Private buyers can offer the best price for copper/aluminum, but the risk of fraud is higher.

Approximate prices for scrap metal in 2026 (in Moscow and the region):

Where to look for collection points:

• 📍 Yandex/Google Maps - search for “scrap metal collection”, “buy copper scrap”.
• 🌐 Sites like metallolom.ru or vtormet.ru —there are ratings and reviews.
• 📞 Ads on Avito —private buyers often offer home visits.

⚠️ Attention: Some collection points refuse to accept compressors and condensers from refrigerators older than 20 years due to the risk of freon residues. Check this point in advance!

5. What to do with non-recyclable parts of the refrigerator

Not the entire refrigerator is made of metal. There remain parts that are either not accepted at all or are accepted for a nominal fee:

• 🧊 Polyurethane foam insulation - it needs to be cut out of doors and walls. Some items are accepted as foam waste (price ~5-10 rub/kg), but more often it has to be thrown away.
• 🔌 Plastic - shelves, handles, seals. You can hand it over as PET or PVC, but the price is minimal (1-3 rubles/kg).
• ⚡ Electronics - control boards, thermostats. They are accepted as electronics scrap (20–50 rub/kg), but must be separated from the metal case.
• ❄️ Refrigerant and oil - require special disposal. Do not pour down the drain!

If you don’t want to bother with disposing of non-recyclable parts, there are two options:

1. Turn the entire refrigerator to a household appliance recycling center. For example, in Moscow this can be done through "EcoTechnologies" or "Megafon.Recycling" (sometimes they give a discount on new equipment).
2. Call a specialized service by removal of bulky waste. In some regions it is free (for example, in St. Petersburg under the program "Clean City").

6. How much can you earn from disassembling a refrigerator: real calculations

Let's calculate how much you can get from a refrigerator Indesit BIAA 13 (weight ~55 kg, manufactured in 2010). prices:

Part	Weight, kg	Type of metal	Price per kg, rub.	Total, rub.
Housing + doors	30	Ferrous metal	25	750
Compressor (housing)	10	Ferrous metal	25	250
Compressor winding	1,2	Pure copper	600	720
Condenser (aluminum)	2,5	Aluminium	150	375
Condenser tubes	0,8	Copper insulation	300	240
Shelves (stainless steel)	3	Stainless steel	40	120
TOTAL	47,5			2 455

The actual amount will be 10–20% lower due to:

• 🔽 Metal contamination (paint, rust, foam).
• 🔽 Reduced prices reception points (especially for small lots).
• 🔽 Transport costs (if you are transporting metal by dump truck).

However, even 1,500–2,000 rubles s one refrigerator is a good increase, considering that many people take old equipment to a landfill for free. And if you do this regularly (for example, buy faulty refrigerators from advertisements), you can organize a small business.

7. Dangers when disassembling a refrigerator: what not to do.

Disassembling a refrigerator is not the safest procedure. Here are the main risks and how to avoid them:

• ⚡ Electric shock. Even a disconnected refrigerator may have a residual charge in the capacitors. Before work short-circuit the compressor contacts a screwdriver.
• 💨 Explosion or leakage. frequency data-i="287">protective casing Old models (before 2000) use refrigerant R-12which, when heated, decomposes into phosgene (combat gas) Do not cut the tubes without protection!
• 🔥 Fire when cutting metal. Polyurethane foam is highly flammable. Use an angle grinder with protective casing and keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• 🩹 Cuts and injuries. The edges of the metal after cutting are razor-sharp. Work with Kevlar gloves goggles.

What to do if:

⚠️ Attention: If you smell a strong chemical smell when cutting the compressor, stop working immediately, go outside and ventilate the room. This is a sign of a refrigerant leak. Inhaling vapors can cause dizziness and nausea.

How to safely drain oil from a compressor?

1. Wear rubber gloves and goggles.

2. Place a container (for example, a cut plastic bottle).

3. Carefully unscrew the plug at the bottom of the compressor (usually under). hexagon).

4. Drain the oil into a container and close the lid tightly. Do not pour it down the drain!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about selling refrigerators for scrap

🔹 Do you need to clean copper from varnish before handing it over?

Not necessary, but this will increase the price by 20-30%. The varnish can be removed:

• 🔥 By calcining the wire on a fire (the varnish will burn, the copper will become clean).
• 🧪 By soaking in a solvent (acetone, 646) 12–24 hours.

If you don’t have time, hand it over as copper insulation, but the price will be lower.

🔹 Is it possible to hand over the entire refrigerator without disassembling?

Yes, but you will lose up to 50% of your potential income. Reception points value the entire equipment as black metal (15-25 rubles/kg), although there is copper and aluminum inside. The exception is specialized recycling companies, but they pay even less.

🔹 Which refrigerator is more profitable to disassemble: Soviet or modern?

Soviet refrigerators (ZIL, Minsk, Biryusa) contain more copper and brass, but they are more difficult to disassemble due to rust and rivets. Modern models (Samsung, LG) are easier to dismantle, but they contain more aluminum and plastic. In terms of profitability, they are approximately equal, but the Soviet ones require more time.

🔹 Where to put freon from an old refrigerator?

Freon must not be released into the atmosphere! Options:

• 🏭 Take the refrigerator to a recycling point - they drain the refrigerant according to the rules.
• 🔧 Call a refrigerator repairman - they have equipment for pumping out freon (cost ~500–1,000 rubles).
• ♻️ In some cities there are mobile eco-mobiles that accept refrigerant equipment for free.

🔹 Is it possible to make money from dismantling refrigerators as a business?

Yes, but you need to consider:

• 📦 Logistics: You need to store refrigerators somewhere and transport metal (garage rental + cargo transport).
• ⚖️ Legal issues: For the delivery of large quantities of scrap metal, an agreement and a passport may be required.
• 💰 Profitability: From one refrigerator, net income is ~1,500–2,500 rubles. To earn 50,000 rubles/month, you need to disassemble 20–30 pieces.

It is more profitable to work with corporate clients (shops, offices) who write off old equipment wholesale.