An old, out-of-service refrigerator is not just bulky garbage that takes up space in the garage or on balcony, but a potential source of additional income. Many owners of old household appliances do not even suspect that inside their casing there are hidden kilograms of valuable non-ferrous metals, for which scrap collection points pay real money. Understanding where exactly the copper, aluminum and brass are located will help you not only properly dispose of the unit, but also maximize the profit from its delivery. Atlanta or Turkies kilograms of valuable non-ferrous metals are hidden, for which scrap collection points pay real money. Understanding exactly where copper, aluminum and brass are located will help you not only dispose of the unit wisely, but also maximize the profit from its disposal.
The process of cutting a refrigerator requires certain knowledge and a minimum set of tools, since simply throwing it into acceptance means losing up to 70% of possible revenue, because black steel is accepted at minimal tariffs. In this article, we will analyze in detail the internal structure of refrigeration equipment, highlight components with a high content of non-ferrous metals and tell you how to properly prepare each element to obtain the maximum price.
It is important to immediately note that the market for recyclable materials is dynamic, and prices for copper, aluminum and brass change weekly depending on stock quotes. Therefore, before starting dismantling, it makes sense to clarify the current prices in your region in order to understand the economic feasibility of deep disassembly of the unit.
Income structure: what metals are present in the refrigerator
A refrigerator is a complex electromechanical device, the design of which uses various alloys, each of which has its own value in the scrap market. The main mass of the device is ferrous metal (steel), from which the outer and inner casing, as well as the shelves, are made. However, the real value for the deliverer is non-ferrous metalwhich is hidden inside the nodes.
The main “golden” resource here is copper. It is used in electric motor windings, heat exchangers and connecting tubes. The price of copper has always been and remains the highest among household scrap, so finding and extracting copper-containing parts is a priority task when cutting.
The second most important element is aluminum. It is lighter than copper and costs less, but there can be quite a lot of it in the refrigerator, especially in older Soviet-made models. Aluminum evaporators and tubes are often confused with steel, which leads to financial losses upon delivery.
⚠️ Attention: Modern refrigerators are increasingly using copper-coated steel or all-aluminum circuits instead of pure copper. This reduces the final revenue, but does not make the disassembly process pointless.
The design also contains small quantities of brass (valves, fittings) and lead (in old starting relays or solders), but their volume is usually insignificant and is considered as a pleasant bonus to the main weight.
Compressor: the heart of the refrigerator and the source of copper
The most valuable part in any refrigerator is the compressor. It is in this sealed block, which hums during operation, that the bulk of the non-ferrous metal is concentrated. However, accessing it is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The compressor is a sealed steel case, inside of which there is an electric motor with copper winding.
For non-ferrous metal receivers, the compressor is divided into two categories: “whole” (which they open themselves) and “broken” (disassembled by you). It is often less profitable to hand over the entire compressor, since acceptance will deduct the weight of the steel casing at the price of ferrous scrap or evaluate it as scrap of electric motors with a reduction factor. To get the full cost of copper, the compressor must be opened.
There are several ways to extract copper from the compressor, but the most effective and safest is mechanical. Using an open fire to burn out insulation or sawing the housing with a grinder requires strict adherence to safety precautions, since oil under pressure may remain inside.
After opening the housing, you will see a heavy stator with wound coils. It is this winding that is of interest. It must be cut out or cut out from the stator plates. The weight of pure copper in one standard home compressor varies from 0.5 to 1.2 kg, depending on the power and model of the engine.
In addition to the winding, the compressor has copper tubes that fit the housing. They need to be cut as close to the compressor body as possible, including the internal parts if possible. The remaining “tails” of the pipes also go into copper scrap.
Evaporator and condenser: where to look for heat exchangers
Heat exchange systems are the second most important source of non-ferrous metal. Depending on the year of manufacture and manufacturer of the refrigerator, the design of these components may differ radically, which directly affects the amount and type of metal extracted.
In older models (manufactured before the mid-90s), the evaporator in the freezer and the condenser at the back are often made of aluminum or copper-aluminum alloys. The evaporator in such refrigerators is a metal panel inside the freezer or a system of tubes hidden behind the back wall. The condenser is a grille at the back, which can be painted steel or aluminum.
In more modern units, manufacturers have switched to using finely coated steel tubes or all-aluminum circuits to reduce costs. However, if you come across a refrigerator with copper circuit (often labeled as Cu), its value increases dramatically. Copper tubes usually have a characteristic reddish color when cut and are not magnetic.
How to distinguish copper from aluminum without chemicals?
Take a magnet. Copper and aluminum are not magnetic. Look at the color: copper is reddish-golden, aluminum is silver-gray. If you knock, the copper sounds softer. You can also scratch: the mark on copper will be red, on aluminum it will be silver.
When dismantling the evaporator, be careful: in older models it may be glued to the inner plastic panel of the freezer. You need to tear it off carefully so as not to damage the tubes if you plan to return them as is, and not in the form of chips or broken pieces.
The condenser grille on the back of the refrigerator must also be dismantled. If it is made of non-ferrous metal, it is cut off or unscrewed. Steel grates, which make up the majority in the modern fleet of equipment, are sold separately as ferrous scrap.
Electrics: motors, wires and starting devices
In addition to the compressor, there are other electrical components in the refrigerator that contain non-ferrous metals. First of all, these are fans No Frost systems. Refrigerators with air circulation usually have 1-2 fans installed: one in the freezer compartment, the other in the main compartment or in the air supply duct.
Each fan is a small electric motor with a copper winding inside. Although the weight of copper in one such motor is only 30-50 grams, with mass cutting or the presence of several fans this is already a noticeable addition. It is better to hand them over assembled as “micromotors” or also open them up to extract pure copper.
Refrigerator wiring is another source of copper. The internal wiring harness to the thermostat, light bulb and compressor contains pure copper insulation. The length of the wires can reach several meters. They can be sold as “copper in insulation,” but the price for such scrap is lower than for a cleaned “spoonbait.”
In old Soviet refrigerators you can find starting relays with copper contacts or even coils. Thermostats also contain small amounts of non-ferrous metals in capillary tubes and contact groups, although their weight is negligible.
Contacts also deserve special attention. Tinned copper or brass terminals are often used where wires connect. During deep processing, they can be bitten off with wire cutters and collected in a separate container for brass or tinned copper. connectors and contacts. Tinned copper or brass terminals are often used where wires connect. During deep processing, they can be bitten off with nippers and collected in a separate container for brass or tinned copper.
Tools for cutting and safety precautions
To effectively and safely disassemble the refrigerator into non-ferrous metal, you will need a basic set of tools. You should not try to disassemble the unit with your bare hands or kitchen knives - this is not only ineffective, but also dangerous.
You will definitely need:
- 🛠️ A grinder (angle grinder) —the main tool for cutting metal tubes, grilles and compressor housings. Use cutting discs for metal with a thickness of 1-1.2 mm.
- 🔨 A sledgehammer or a heavy hammer - are necessary for destroying compressor housings and separating stuck parts.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers and keys - are useful for removing plastic panels, doors, handles and dismantling electrical equipment.
- 🧤 Safety gloves and glasses —critically important! Metal shavings, sharp cutting edges and possible splashing of old oil require eye and hand protection.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, make sure that the refrigerator is unplugged for at least 24 hours. This will allow the oil to drain into the lower part of the compressor and reduce the risk of its release under pressure when opening.
It is best to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area (garage), since when cutting, a burning smell may appear from insulation or old oil. Place a wooden beam or pallets under the refrigerator so as not to damage the floor covering and it is more convenient to work with a grinder from below.
If you plan to hand over metal regularly, it makes sense to purchase or build a simple crusher for plastic to separate it from the metal, or simply carefully dismantle the plastic parts, which can also be handed over, but as plastic (HDPE, ABS).
Economic feasibility and weight table
Is the game worth the candle? To answer this question, you need to understand the approximate yield of non-ferrous metal from one standard two-chamber refrigerator. Prices are constantly fluctuating, but the proportions remain approximately the same.
Below is a table showing the approximate yield of non-ferrous metals from a typical refrigerator with a volume of 250-300 liters:
| Part / Unit | Type of metal | Approximate weight (kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor winding | Copper | 0.5 - 1.2 | Depends on motor power |
| Tubes compressor | Copper / Steel | 0.2 - 0.4 | Colored part only |
| Evaporator (freezer) | Aluminium | 1.0 - 2.5 | In older models |
| Capacitor (grid) | Aluminum / Steel | 1.5 - 3.0 | If not steel |
| Fans (No Frost) | Copper (in winding) | 0.1 - 0.2 | Total from motors |
As can be seen from the table, the main income is generated by the compressor and heat exchangers. Ferrous metal (body, doors, steel grilles) makes up most of the weight (30-50 kg), but its cost is minimal. Therefore separation (separation) of metals is a key factor in profit.
It is also worth taking into account the cost of electricity (if you work with power tools), depreciation of discs for an angle grinder and the time spent on disassembly. For one refrigerator, the “hourly rate” may not be high, but if you have accumulated a battery of 5-10 pieces, the profit becomes quite noticeable.
Where and how to hand over the prepared scrap
After the refrigerator is cut and the metals are sorted, the question of sales arises. Non-ferrous metal must be handed over to specialized collection points secondary non-ferrous metals. You should not bring copper to points that only accept ferrous metal or glass - they will either refuse you or lower the price to a minimum.
Before the trip, weigh the resulting fractions on a home scale to have an idea of the weight. At the reception point, weighing is carried out on verified scales. Please note that copper is divided into categories: "Shine" (cleaned, without oxides and solder), "Mix" (a mixture of tubes and wires) and "Tinned" (plated with tin). The purer the metal, the higher the price.
Aluminum is also sorted: profile (windows, doors), electrical (tires) and household scrap (pipes, radiators). Refrigerator tubes are usually classified as “Aluminum Scrap” or “Electrical Copper” (if they are combined tubes), but are often accepted as “Mix” due to the difficulty of quick sorting.
☑️ Check before handing in scrap
When delivering large volumes (several tens of kilograms of non-ferrous metal), it makes sense to call several collection points and find out the current rate. The difference in the price per kilogram of copper in different parts of the city can reach 10-15%, which, given the large weight, gives a significant amount.
Environmental aspect and recycling of freon
When dismantling the refrigerator for metal, we must not forget about the environment. Inside the circulation system there is refrigerant (freon). In older models, these may be ozone-depleting substances (R12), in new ones - safer, but still chemically active gases (R134a, R600a).
When the compressor is mechanically destroyed or the pipes are sawed, freon instantly evaporates into the atmosphere. From a legal and environmental point of view, proper disposal requires preliminary pumping out of freon with special equipment. However, in the context of private delivery of scrap for non-ferrous metal, this stage is most often ignored, which is a violation of environmental standards.
In addition, substances that destroy the ozone layer could be used in the thermal insulation of the refrigerator body (foam between the inner and outer boxes) in older models. When this foam is burned or crushed, toxic substances are released.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to burn refrigerator insulation to obtain metal! This emits toxic fumes that are hazardous to your health and the environment.
Remains of the casing, plastic and insulation that are not of value to non-ferrous metal markers must be disposed of through bulk waste removal services or taken to a solid waste landfill. Some metal collection points offer a “disposal of residues” service, but they may charge an additional fee for this or deduct it from the cost of scrap.
What to do with oil from the compressor?
Drain the used compressor oil into a separate container (plastic bottle). It should not be poured down the drain or onto the ground. Take the oil to a used oil collection point or to the nearest service station, where they will accept it for free or for a nominal fee.
Thus, handing over a refrigerator to a non-ferrous metal shop is a process that requires effort, but allows you to return part of the money spent on the purchase of new equipment and at the same time free up space. The main thing is to do this competently, safely and with an understanding of the value of each element.
How much does an old refrigerator cost for scrap metal?
The cost depends on the current price of metals and the weight of non-ferrous components. On average, for one two-chamber refrigerator after cutting you can get from 300 to 800 rubles (the price is approximate, depends on the region and the volume of copper/aluminum). Entirely as ferrous metal, it will cost 100-150 rubles.
Do you need a passport to hand over metal?
Yes, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation and many CIS countries, collection points for non-ferrous scrap metal are required to require a passport and record the data of the person handing over. This is a measure to combat the theft of non-ferrous metals. Without a passport, they can only accept ferrous metal from you or refuse the service.
Is it possible to hand over the entire refrigerator without disassembling it?
It is possible, but it is not profitable. Reception points accept whole refrigerators as “scrap household appliances” or “ferrous scrap”, the price for which is 3-4 times lower than for non-ferrous metal. Disassembly increases profitability significantly.
Where is copper located in the refrigerator other than the compressor?
Copper is also found in the fan windings of the No Frost system, in connecting wires (harnesses), in brass fittings and valves, and sometimes in the heat exchanger tubes (if it is not aluminum).