An old, out-of-service refrigerator takes up a lot of space and becomes an unnecessary burden that it is a pity to simply throw in a landfill. However, this bulky unit is a valuable source of recyclable materials if you dispose of it wisely and with the right tools. Inside the housing are hidden copper tubes, steel sheets, aluminum and even precious non-ferrous metals in the windings of the electric motor.
The dismantling process requires not only physical strength, but also a clear understanding of the design of household appliances, so as not to damage valuable components and protect yourself from harmful substances. Disassembling of the refrigeration unit into components allows you not only to free up space, but also to obtain financial benefits from delivering materials to collection points.
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare a workplace, since the process can take several hours and require significant space for sorting parts. It is important to immediately be aware that some elements will require special handling due to the toxicity of refrigerants or the presence of oil in the system.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
The effectiveness of disassembly directly depends on the quality of preparation. You will need a spacious, well-ventilated area, such as a garage or fenced-in area in the yard, as dismantling may produce an unpleasant odor or dust. The main tool will be an angle grinder, popularly known as grinderequipped with metal discs for cutting a steel case.
In addition to power tools, you will need a set of hand tools: powerful pliers, wire cutters, several screwdrivers (cross and flat) and a hammer. Do not forget about personal protective equipment: thick gloves, goggles to protect your eyes from metal shavings and a respirator, as dust and mold spores can accumulate inside.
Particular attention should be paid to the container for collecting oil, which may leak from the compressor when it is opened or the tubes are damaged. Also prepare separate bags or boxes for sorting plastic, rubber and different types of metal so as not to mix them up during work.
- 🛠️ Angle grinder (grinder) with spare discs.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters and hammer.
- 🧤 Safety glasses, gloves and a respirator.
- 🪣 Waste oil container and rags.
⚠️ Attention: When working with an angle grinder, always use safety glasses and tight-fitting clothing to eliminate the risk of injury from flying sparks or particles metal.
If you plan to disassemble equipment regularly, it makes sense to purchase a special tool for removing insulation from wires, which will speed up the process of extracting copper. For initial disassembly, a basic set is sufficient, which most men have in their garage.
Dismantling external elements and plastic parts
The first step is always the removal of all attached and internal elements that do not require the use of a cutting tool. Start with the doors: they are mounted on powerful hinges that can be hidden with decorative plugs. Carefully remove the plastic covers and unscrew the mounting bolts, then remove the doors so that they do not interfere with access to the inside of the case.
Next, remove all shelves, drawers, egg trays and plastic containers. These pieces are usually made of glass or plastic and have no value as scrap, but must be removed to access the metal frame. If there are rubber seals on the doors, it is also better to remove them and put them in a separate pile for rubber disposal.
In some models, there may be lighting lamps, thermostats and plastic control panels inside. The lamps are carefully unscrewed, and the plastic panels are often held in place by latches or screws that need to be removed. Plastic should be collected separately, as it interferes with further cutting of metal and can emit toxic smoke when heated.
☑️ Preparing the case
After removing all the removable elements, you will be left with an empty metal box. At this stage, it is important to make sure that there are no organic residues or products left inside that could be forgotten in the far corners.
Removing and disassembling the compressor
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator, located in the lower rear part of the unit. This is where the most valuable non-ferrous metals are concentrated: copper in the motor windings and steel in the housing. First, you need to disconnect the compressor from the frame; it is usually secured with four bolts or welded, which will require work with a grinder.
Before sawing off the tubes, it is recommended to make a notch on the compressor housing at the bottom in order to drain the used compressor oil into a prepared container. This oil should not be poured down the drain or onto the ground; it must be taken to a special hazardous waste collection point.
After draining the oil, you can begin to carefully saw off the copper tubes that go to the compressor. Try to make cuts as close to the body as possible to maintain maximum length of copper lines. The compressor itself weighs quite a lot, so when sawing off the last attachment point, hold it with your hand.
What is inside the compressor?
Inside the sealed compressor housing there is an electric motor with copper windings and a valve system. To extract the copper, the housing will have to be sawed, since it is not intended for disassembly at home.
It is important to note that residual pressure may remain inside the compressor, so use a protective mask when making the first cut. Some craftsmen prefer not to disassemble the compressor itself, but to sell it entirely as black scrap with colored inclusions, but for maximum profit, the copper must be extracted.
- ⚙️ Disconnect the compressor from the refrigerator frame.
- 🛢️ Drain the used oil into an airtight container.
- 🔪 Carefully saw through the copper supply pipes.
- ⚖️ Weigh the compressor to assess its scrap category.
⚠️ Attention: Compressor oil contains chemical impurities and is a hazardous waste that requires special disposal and not disposal soil.
If you decide to remove copper from the windings, the compressor housing will have to be sawn along the equator. This is a labor-intensive process that requires a powerful grinder and caution, since there is a heavy rotor inside.
Working with a heat exchanger and copper tubes
The heat exchanger, or condenser, located on the back wall of the refrigerator, is a coil made of a thin copper or aluminum tube with welded steel or aluminum plates. Old Soviet models used pure copper, while modern ones often use aluminum or copper-plated steel, which reduces the value of scrap.
To remove the tubes, the capacitor is usually carefully sawed off from the main frame. If the tube is copper, it will have a characteristic reddish tint on the cut and will be soft. Aluminum tubes are silvery and more brittle. Separating the tube from the radiator plates manually is long and difficult, so most often they hand over the entire assembly or cut it into segments.
The evaporator, which is located inside the freezer (often hidden behind a plastic panel or frozen into the walls), also contains non-ferrous metal. In modern refrigerators with the No Frost system, the evaporator is a compact radiator, which is easily removed after removing the back panel inside the chamber.
| Metal type | Location | Features | Price per kg (conditionally) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Tubes, motor winding | Red color, soft, non-magnetic | High |
| Aluminum | Radiator plates, tubes (rarely) | Silver color, light, non-magnetic | Medium |
| Steel | Case, frame, doors | Gray color, magnetic, heavy | Low |
| Cast iron | Compressor housing | Black color, magnetic, very heavy | Low |
When sorting metal, use a regular magnet: it does not stick to copper and aluminum, but holds steel and cast iron perfectly. This is the easiest way not to confuse non-ferrous metals with ferrous ones and get a fair price upon delivery.
Cutting the case and sorting the metal
After removing all valuable components, an empty steel box remains, which makes up the bulk, but a smaller part of the cost of scrap. The refrigerator body is made of sheet steel, often with a polymer coating, which when burned produces acrid smoke, so it is better to cut it without using open fire.
Cut the body into pieces convenient for transportation. The side walls, top cover and bottom are separated by welds or simply cut arbitrarily. Pay attention to the inner chamber: it is also metal, but between the outer and inner walls there is a layer of thermal insulation.
Thermal insulation in old refrigerators can be made of glass wool, which is extremely dangerous for the skin and lungs, or polyurethane foam. When cutting a body with foam, it can smolder and smoke heavily, so work only outdoors or indoors with a powerful hood.
All steel sheets received should be placed in a separate pile. If there is a lot of plastic or rubber left on the metal, it is better to remove them, since contaminated scrap is accepted at a reasonable price or a discount is made for the blockage.
Don't forget about the door: it consists of two sheets of metal fastened around the perimeter; there may also be insulation inside. It is easier to cut the door if you first remove all the plastic handles and decorative elements from it.
Disposal of hazardous substances and final cleaning
Refrigerants used in refrigerators of the last century (freon) can be dangerous for the ozone layer, but in domestic conditions, when simply cutting pipes, they evaporate quickly. Modern models use less aggressive gases, but there is no need to take risks - all work should be carried out in a ventilated place.
Dust from thermal insulation and combustion products of plastic are especially dangerous. Therefore, the use of a respirator is not just a recommendation, but a necessity. After completing work, wash your hands and face thoroughly, and it is better to shake out your work clothes outside.
Collected plastic mass, rubber seals and other non-metallic waste must be taken to special landfills or containers for solid household waste, if this is permitted by the rules of your locality. Burning plastic is strictly prohibited due to the release of dioxins.
⚠️ Attention: Thermal insulation made of glass wool can cause severe irritation to the skin and respiratory tract, work with it only in thick clothing and a respirator, and after work, dispose of the workwear.
The final stage is weighing and sorting the received materials. Place copper, aluminum, ferrous scrap and electric motors in different piles for convenient transportation to the collection point.
Economic efficiency and scrap delivery
Disassembling the refrigerator only makes sense if you plan to hand over the metal in a fairly large volume or if you already have several pieces of equipment. The cost of one kilogram of ferrous metal is low, so the main income is generated from non-ferrous metals: copper and aluminum.
On average, from one standard refrigerator you can get about 15-20 kg of ferrous scrap, 1-2 kg of copper (depending on the model and year of manufacture) and about 1 kg of aluminum. A disassembled electric motor (compressor) is valued higher than an assembled one, but requires labor.
Before going to the collection point, check the current prices and scrap quality requirements. Some locations may not accept complete compressors or make a discount based on oil availability. Clean, sorted copper without solder and paint will cost the most.
Do not forget that the time spent on disassembly is also valuable. If you value your time highly, it may be easier to hand over the entire refrigerator, albeit for a smaller amount, but without extra effort and dirt.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hand over the entire refrigerator without disassembling it?
Yes, many scrap metal collection points accept refrigerators entirely, but the price for them will be significantly lower, since they will be classified as “oversized black scrap” with a deduction for contamination and the presence of non-ferrous metals inside.
Is freon dangerous during disassembly?
In old refrigerators, freon can be dangerous if inhaled in high concentrations, but if the tubes depressurize in the open air it quickly dissipates. The main thing is not to heat the system with an open fire to avoid the formation of toxic compounds.
Where can you find the most copper in the refrigerator?
The bulk of copper is found in the compressor motor windings and in the supply copper pipes. In the condenser (radiator at the back), copper is found only in older models; in new ones, aluminum or steel is more often used.
Is it necessary to drain the oil from the compressor before delivery?
This is not necessary for the delivery of ferrous scrap, but collection points can make a discount on the presence of oil. To extract copper, the oil must be drained so as not to dirty the tool and hands when sawing the engine housing.
What to do with plastic parts after disassembly?
Plastic remaining after disassembly should be disposed of as ordinary solid household waste, if there is no separate collection of plastic in your region. You cannot burn it together with scrap metal.