The process of recycling old household appliances often confronts owners with a difficult choice: remove the bulky unit entirely or try to disassemble it to return non-ferrous and ferrous metals. In the case of refrigerators Indesit the task is complicated by design features, such as a capacitor foamed into the body and complex panel fastening systems. Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply pull out the cord and start breaking the walls with a sledgehammer, but this approach is dangerous and ineffective.
Correct disassembling a refrigerator requires consistency and understanding of the structure of the unit. Only competent dismantling allows you to safely remove expensive non-ferrous metals, such as copper, from the heat exchanger and separate hazardous components that require special disposal. In this article, we will look in detail at the stages of turning a bulky household appliance into sorted scrap metal.
Before starting work, it is extremely important to ensure good ventilation of the room, since if the insulating materials are damaged, an unpleasant odor can be released, and in older models, potentially dangerous refrigerant vapors can be released. Modern Indesit models often use cyclopentane as a foaming agent, which is flammable at concentrations above certain values. Therefore, compliance with safety precautions is the number one priority when performing such operations.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
For high-quality disassembly you will need not only physical strength, but also a specialized set of tools. Failure to have the correct equipment can result in injury or damage to valuable components you plan to hand over. The main focus should be on cutting and fastening tools, as factory connections are often made to be permanent.
You will need heavy-duty wire cutters or tin snips for cutting through copper tubing, as well as a set of screwdrivers with a variety of slots, including Phillips and flathead versions. It's a good idea to have a hammer, pliers, and maybe a reciprocating saw if you decide to cut the body to speed up the process. It is better to carry out all work on a durable surface covered with thick film or cardboard.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers and wrenches for dismantling fasteners.
- ✂️ Nippers or metal scissors for cutting pipes and wires.
- 🔨 A hammer and chisel for opening hard-to-reach connections.
- 🧤 Thick protective gloves and goggles to protect from chips and dust.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the power supply and let it stand for several hours so that the oil from the compressor flows into the crankcase, and the pressure in the refrigerant system leveled.
Pay special attention to preparing the place where the cutting of the unit will take place. If you're working in the garage or yard, make sure you have a container on hand to catch any drained oil and small parts. Chaotic scattering of components will not only complicate metal sorting, but can also create a hazardous situation. Accuracy at the preparation stage will save you time in the future.
☑️ Ready for disassembly
Dismantling the doors and internal equipment
The first stage of disassembling the refrigerator Indesit always involves removing the hanging elements. Doors are the heaviest and bulkiest parts of the body, which interfere with access to the internal components. They must be removed first in order to be able to freely work with the main frame and not damage the hinges during further cutting.
To remove doors, you usually need to unscrew the top and bottom hinges. In some models Indesit refrigerators the hinges may be hidden by decorative plugs that need to be carefully pryed off with a knife or flat screwdriver. After releasing the fasteners, it is better to remove the door together, since even an empty structure has significant weight and can drop an inexperienced technician.
After dismantling the doors, all the internal contents are removed: shelves, vegetable drawers, egg trays and plastic holders. Plastic generally has no scrap value, but it must be removed so that it does not interfere with access to the metal walls and evaporators. Glass shelves should also be removed and disposed of separately, since glass requires special recycling.
- 🚪 Remove the decorative plugs from the door hinges.
- 🔩 Unscrew the bolts securing the upper and lower hinges.
- 📦 Remove all plastic and glass elements from the chamber.
- 🗑️ Sort plastic and glass for separate disposal.
Internal plastic panels covering the back wall of the refrigerator and freezer compartments must also be dismantled. They are attached with latches or self-tapping screws. By carefully snapping them off, you free up access to the aluminum evaporators and the No Frost system (if present). These components contain non-ferrous metals and require careful handling.
Removing the rear panel and accessing the compressor
Rear refrigerator Indesit hides its “heart” - the compressor-condensing unit. This is where the bulk of the valuable metal is concentrated. To access it, you need to turn the refrigerator on its side or carefully place it on its back, placing a soft pad under the bottom so as not to damage the enamel.
On the back wall there is a metal panel covering the compressor. It is secured with several screws around the perimeter. By unscrewing them, you gain access to the motor, start relay and capacitor grid. This node contains copper, steel and electrical iron, which are highly valued at collection points.
| Component | Type of metal | Difficulty of extraction | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Steel, copper (winding) | High | High |
| Condenser (grid) | Steel, copper (tubes) | Average | Medium |
| Evaporator | Aluminium | High | Average |
| Housing | Ferrous metal | Low | Low |
The compressor is a sealed steel ball or cylinder. Inside it is an electric motor with copper windings and a system of pistons. To get to the copper, the compressor housing will have to be sawed, as it is not designed for disassembly. This is a labor-intensive process that requires a hacksaw or grinder.
A capillary filter and a start relay are often located next to the compressor. The filter contains small amounts of non-ferrous metals, but due to its light weight it is rarely removed separately. The relay contains a copper winding and small magnets, which can also be sorted if desired.
How much copper is in the compressor?
The weight of copper in the compressor winding of an Indesit household refrigerator varies from 100 to 200 grams, depending on the power of the motor. However, it can only be removed by cutting the steel case, which requires considerable effort and time.
Removing the heat exchanger and working with freon
One of the most difficult stages is dismantling the cooling system, consisting of a condenser (black grille at the back) and an evaporator (inside the chambers). In modern models Indesit refrigerators these elements are often foamed directly into the walls of the case or glued to the back panel, which makes their removal without damage difficult.
If you plan to hand over copper, you will have to cut out these elements. The condenser is usually made of coated steel tubing, but more expensive or older models may use copper. The evaporator is usually aluminum. To remove them, you often have to cut out part of the back wall or internal plastic.
⚠️ Attention: When cutting the cooling system pipes, residual gas (freon) may escape. Although modern refrigerants are less harmful to the ozone layer, they can be a fire hazard (isobutane) or cause suffocation in confined spaces. Work only in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
The cutting process requires care so as not to damage the tubes where it is not necessary. Use wire cutters or a pipe cutter to disconnect the lines from the compressor. If the system is foamed, you will have to use a knife or saw to free the heat exchanger from the polyurethane foam “trap”. Be prepared for the fact that there will be a lot of sticky foam on the walls that will have to be cleaned off.
- ❄️ Cut through the copper tubes near the compressor.
- 🔪 Carefully cut out the foamed areas of the evaporator.
- 🌬️ Ensure ventilation when residual refrigerant escapes.
- 🧹 Clean the tubes from residual insulation and glue.
It is worth noting that some budget models Indesit use aluminum wiring instead of copper in some units, as well as copper-plated steel tubes. This reduces the final weight of non-ferrous metal that you can get. Checking with a magnet will help you quickly determine whether the tube in front of you is steel or non-ferrous.
Separating the case and sorting metals
After removing all the internal components, an empty metal box remains. The refrigerator body is made of sheet steel coated with enamel. This is a ferrous metal that is accepted at collection points, but it costs less than copper or aluminum. For ease of transportation, the body is often flattened or cut.
If you want to maximize profits, you can try to separate the outer steel from the inner plastic tub and insulation, although in older models refrigerators it is a single sandwich. Cutting the body with a grinder allows you to fold the sheets compactly. However, when cutting painted enamel, a lot of smoke is generated, so a respirator is required here.
Inside the case, between the walls, there is a layer of polyurethane foam. It has no value and contaminates the metal. When scrapping, you may be required to clean the metal of non-metallic inclusions. Therefore, try to select as much foam as possible from pieces of pipes and radiators before weighing.
Sorting is key. Mixing aluminum, copper and ferrous metal together will result in you being paid at the price of the cheapest metal (ferrous scrap). Separate the materials in advance:
- 🔴 Copper (tubes, windings, wires).
- ⚪ Aluminum (evaporators, sheets).
- ⚫ Ferrous metal (housing, steel gratings).
- 🔌 Electronics (boards, wires, relays).
Pay special attention to the electrical cable. If it is long, it can be sold as cable scrap or stripped of insulation to obtain a clean copper core. Refined copper costs significantly more, but the stripping process takes time. For a small piece of cable from a refrigerator, this may not be practical.
Safety precautions and waste disposal
Disassembling household appliances is not only physical labor, but also working with potentially hazardous materials. In addition to the risk of cuts from sharp metal edges, there is a danger of inhaling dust from insulating materials and refrigerant vapors. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should not be ignored.
Goggles protect your eyes from metal shavings, especially when working with an angle grinder or when beating off frozen knots. Thick gloves protect your hands from cuts and splinters. A respirator is necessary when working with foam and when burning insulation (although burning wires is prohibited by environmental regulations and damages the metal).
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to burn wire insulation on an open fire to obtain copper. This releases toxic substances, contaminates the metal with soot (which reduces its price) and violates environmental legislation.
After disassembly is completed, you will be left with a significant amount of non-metallic debris: plastic, glass, polyurethane foam, rubber seals. Simply throwing them into a common container is not always correct, especially in large volumes. It is better to hand over plastic and rubber to special collection points, if there are any in your region.
The oil from the compressor, which you drain when sawing, is a waste petroleum product. It should not be poured down the drain or onto the ground. Collect it in a sealed container (for example, a plastic bottle) and take it to a waste oil collection point or to the nearest service station, where such waste is sometimes accepted.
What to do with the foam?
Polyurethane foam extracted from the walls of the refrigerator belongs to the class of non-flammable or low-flammable materials (depending on the brand), but When burning, it releases poisons. It is best to put it in special containers for construction waste or bulky waste.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much can you earn from dismantling one Indesit refrigerator?
The amount depends on the current prices at your collection point and the weight of non-ferrous metals. On average, from one refrigerator you can get 100-200 grams of copper (from the compressor and tubes) and 1-2 kg of aluminum (evaporator). Ferrous metal (body) weighing 30-40 kg is cheap. The total revenue rarely exceeds the cost of an entire used refrigerator, so disassembling it makes sense only if you have several pieces of equipment or for the sake of sporting interest.
Is freon from an old refrigerator dangerous?
Older models used R12 freon, which destroys the ozone layer, but it is not toxic to humans in small concentrations. Modern Indesit use isobutane (R600a), which is explosive at concentrations in air above 4%. Therefore, when depressurizing the system, it is important to avoid sparks and open flames, as well as to ensure a draft.
Do you need to register at the collection point to hand over metal?
For handing over small volumes of ferrous and non-ferrous metal (up to 50-100 kg per month), registration is usually not required. However, rules may vary depending on the region and the policies of the specific collection point. Large quantities or non-ferrous metals in large volumes may require the provision of passport data in accordance with anti-theft legislation.
Is it possible to return the entire refrigerator without disassembling it?
Yes, many scrap metal collection points and specialized companies for recycling household appliances accept assembled refrigerators. In this case, you will not receive separate payment for copper and aluminum, you will only be paid for the weight of the ferrous metal (case), since the processing of internal components will fall on the shoulders of the receiving party. This is often faster and more convenient if you do not have tools or space for disassembly.