Disassembling the Biryusa refrigerator: a step-by-step guide with photos and tips

Old refrigerators Biryusa are the real long-livers of Soviet and post-Soviet household appliances. Many models produced in the 80s and 90s still serve well in garages, country houses or utility rooms. But sooner or later there comes a time when the unit breaks down, requires major repairs, or simply needs to be disposed of. Disassembling such a refrigerator yourself is not an easy task, but can be done with the right approach.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions how to dismantle all the key components: from removable panels to the compressor and evaporator. We will tell you what kind tools needed, how to avoid common mistakes and what to do with freon. And if your goal is not just to throw away the equipment, but restore its functionality or use the parts for other projects, you will find out which elements are worth saving.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the refrigerator is associated with the risk of freon leakage and electric shock. If you are not confident in your skills, consult a specialist. In some regions, independent disposal of refrigerators with freon prohibited by law —check local regulations before starting work.

Depending on the model Biryusa (for example, Biryusa-3, Biryusa-18 or Biryusa-22) there may be design differences, but the general principle of disassembly remains similar. The main thing is to act carefully and consistently.

1. Preparing for disassembly: tools and safety measures

Before you begin disassembly, prepare your workplace and the necessary tools. The refrigerator should be placed on a flat surface, preferably in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Be sure to disconnect it from the network 24 hours before starting work - this will allow all systems to defrost and reduce the risk of injury.

Here minimum set of toolsthat you will need:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (flat, Phillips, sometimes hex)
• 🔨 Hammer and chisel (for removing rivets)
• 🗡️ Knife or office cutter (for cutting the seal)
• 🔌 Pliers and wire cutters
• 🔗 Adjustable wrench (for tubes and nuts)
• 🛠️ Set of socket heads (if there are hexagon socket bolts)
• 🧤 Protective gloves and glasses
• 😷 Respirator (when working with polyurethane foam)

⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator ran on freon R-12 (typical for models before the 2000s), its leakage can cause poisoning. Modern refrigerants (R-134a, R-600a) are less toxic, but also require caution. Do not inhale fumes and do not allow freon to come into contact with your skin.

Before disassembling, take photographs of all components and connections - this will help with reassembly if you plan to restore the refrigerator. Also prepare containers for sorting parts: plastic, metal, electronics, seals.

2. Removing the door and sealing rubber

Start by removing the door - this is the easiest and safest step. In most models Turkish the door is mounted on two hinges: upper and lower. Procedure:

1. Open the door 90 degrees and prop it up so that it does not close (you can use a wooden block).
2. Remove the decorative plugs from hinges (they are usually snapped or glued).
3. Unscrew the bolts securing the hinges using a screwdriver or socket wrench. Start with the bottom hinge.
4. Carefully remove the door from the top pin and set it aside.

Now you can dismantle sealing rubber band. In older models, it is attached in one of three ways:

• 🔩 On self-tapping screws (unscrew them with a screwdriver).
• 🧩 In a groove (pry up the rubber band with a flat screwdriver and pull it out).
• 🔗 On glue (carefully cut with a knife, holding the blade at an angle so as not to damage the case).

⚠️ Attention: If the seal is glued, do not pull it with force - you risk tearing off pieces of plastic or metal of the case. It is better to heat the glue with a hairdryer (temperature no higher than 60°C) and gradually separate the elastic.

You can try to restore the removed elastic (soak it in hot water with soda) or use it as a template for a new one. Some workshops offer services for replacing seals on refrigerators Biryusa.

3. Dismantling the internal panels and evaporator

After removing the door, proceed to dismantling the internal elements. In refrigerators Turk the internal lining usually consists of:

• Plastic panels (back wall, shelves, drawers).
• Evaporator (metal grid or coil covered ice).
• Thermostat and lighting (if any).

Start by removing shelves and drawers - they are simply removed or unscrewed. Then remove the back panel:

1. Unscrew the screws around the perimeter of the panel (they may be hidden under the plugs).
2. Carefully pry the panel with a flat screwdriver - it may sit on the latches.
3. Disconnect the wires from the light bulb (if any).

Behind the back panel you will see evaporator the heart of the refrigerator compartment. In older models it is often covered with a layer of rust or ice. To remove it:

1. Unscrew the mounting bolts or nuts (usually 4-6 pieces).
2. Disconnect the tubes going to the evaporator (they can be cut with wire cutters if you do not plan to save the system).
3. Remove the evaporator - it can be heavy, so hold it.

⚠️ Attention: If the evaporator is stuck to the body, do not try to tear it off - you risk damaging the tubes. It is better to carefully cut it with a grinder or a hacksaw, stepping back 1-2 cm from the attachment point.

The refrigerator insulation is often hidden under the evaporator. polyurethane foam . It can crumble and release harmful dust, so wear a respirator when working. If the polyurethane foam is moldy, it is better to completely remove it and replace it with a new one during assembly.

What to do if the evaporator bolts are rusty?

If the bolts do not unscrew, try the following methods:

1. Treat them with WD-40 or kerosene, wait 10–15 minutes.

2. Tap the bolt heads with a hammer through a metal die (this will help knock off the rust).

3. Use an impact screwdriver or a drill bit with an impact function.

4. As a last resort, cut the bolts with a grinder, but be careful not to damage the tubes.

4. Dismantling the compressor and condenser

The compressor is the most valuable and dangerous element of the refrigerator. In older ones Biryusha it is usually located in the lower part of the rear wall and is covered with a metal casing. Before removing it, make sure that:

• 🔌 The refrigerator is unplugged from the network for at least a day.
• 🧊 The freon is completely released (if the system is not sealed, this could happen by itself over years of operation).
• 🔧 You have an adjustable wrench for the pipes.

The procedure for dismantling the compressor:

1. Remove the protective casing by unscrewing the bolts around the perimeter.
2. Disconnect the start relay (usually attached to the compressor with two screws).
3. Cut the tubes going to the compressor with wire cutters or a grinder, moving 3-5 cm away from the soldering point.
4. Unscrew the bolts securing the compressor to the frame (usually 3-4 pieces).
5. Carefully remove the compressor - it is heavy (10–15 kg), so it is better to work with an assistant.

Near the compressor there is condenser a grid of tubes on the back wall. It is attached with rivets or bolts. To remove it:

• 🔨 Pry up the rivets with a chisel and hammer (if they do not give in, drill them out with a drill).
• 🔗 Disconnect the tubes going to the condenser (they can be cut).
• 🧲 Remove the grate - it can be heavy due to accumulated dirt.

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to use the compressor in the future (for example, for homemade equipment), do not cut the tubes too close to it. Leave a margin of 5–7 cm for future soldering.

Compressors from Turks are often purchased for conversion into air compressorspumps for ponds or cooling systems. If your unit is still working, it can be sold or used on the farm.

5. Removing freon and recycling the refrigerator

One ​​of the most critical stages is disposing of freon. Old refrigerators Biryusa use refrigerant R-12 (Freon-12), which destroys the ozone layer and is prohibited for free circulation. If the system is sealed, the freon is still inside and needs to be properly vented.

Here's how to do it safely:

1. Wear safety glasses and gloves.
2. Find service port (usually this is a small copper extension with a valve on the compressor tube).
3. Connect a hose to the port and take it outside (or to a well-ventilated place).
4. Use a small object (for example, an awl) to press the service port valve - the freon will begin to hiss.
5. Wait for complete bleeding (the hissing will stop, the tubes will become cold).

⚠️ Attention: Do not bleed the freon indoors! Vapors R-12 are heavier than air and can accumulate near the floor, causing suffocation. If you do not have experience, contact a specialized workshop - they will pump out the freon using a vacuum pump.

After bleeding the freon, you can begin recycling. In Russia, there are rules according to which refrigerators belong to waste of hazard class 1–4 (depending on the presence of freon and other components). Here's what you can do with a disassembled unit:

• 🔄 Hand over for recycling (many scrap metal collection points accept refrigerators with an additional charge for freon).
• 🛒 Sell working parts (compressor, thermostat, lamps) through message boards.
• ♻️ Use the housing for homemade projects (for example, making a smokehouse or tool cabinet).

In some regions there are programs recycling of household appliances with compensation. Check with your local administration or MSW management operators.

6. Disassembling the thermostat and electrical part

The thermostat in refrigerators Biryusa is responsible for maintaining the temperature. It is usually located inside the camera, next to the lighting lamp, or on the back wall. To dismantle it:

1. Remove the plastic thermostat cover (it can be on latches or screws).
2. Disconnect the wires, having previously photographed their location.
3. Unscrew the fastening screws and remove thermostat.

In older models, a thermostat type TAM-112 or TAM-133was often installed. These devices are reliable and can be used in other refrigerators or home-made climate systems.

The electrical part also includes:

• 💡 Lighting lamp (usually 15–25 W, can be used in other devices).
• 🔌 Start relay (attached to the compressor, sometimes it fails - it can be sold for spare parts).
• 📡 Wiring (copper wires can be removed and sold for scrap).

⚠️ Attention: Before working with electricity, make sure that the refrigerator is unplugged for at least a day. The capacitors in the start relay can retain a charge, so do not touch the contacts with your bare hands.

If you plan to restore the refrigeratorcheck the thermostat for functionality. To do this:

1. Connect a multimeter to the thermostat terminals in circuit test mode.
2. Turn the temperature regulator - when you click, the contacts should close/open.
3. If there is no reaction, the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced.

7. Disassembling the body and insulation

The refrigerator body Turkish consists of two layers of metal with polyurethane foam between them. Disassembling it completely is a labor-intensive task, but sometimes necessary (for example, to create home-made furniture or recycling).

Here's how to do it:

1. Remove all external panels (top, bottom, lateral). They are attached with rivets or self-tapping screws.
2. Cut the outer metal sheet with a grinder or tin snips. Be careful - freon may remain inside!
3. Remove the polyurethane foam. It may be moldy or crumbled - work in a respirator.
4. Clean the inner metal sheet from foam residues.

⚠️ Attention: When cutting the body, a lot of metal dust and fragments are formed. Wear safety glasses and gloves. If you plan to use the body for homemade projects (for example, making a stove or cabinet out of it), thoroughly clean it of rust and paint.

Polyurethane foam can be disposed of as construction waste, but it is better to recycle it - some enterprises accept it for the production of insulation.

The metal case weighs 20–30 kg and consists of steel 0.8–1.2 mm thick. It can be:

• 🔨 Cut into sheets for household needs.
• 🔥 Use it as a basis for a homemade stove or barbecue.
• ♻️ Sell it for scrap (price depends on current prices).

8. Useful life hacks: what to do with refrigerator parts

Do not rush to throw away all the parts of the disassembled refrigerator Biryusa. Many of them can be used usefully:

Compressor:

• 🛠️ Convert into air compressor for painting or inflating wheels (you will need a receiver and a relay pressure).
• 💦 Use it as irrigation pump or a fountain.
• 🔥 Make it out of it forge (if you remove the internal parts and install the burner).

Metal parts:

• 🔨 From the body sheets you can make workbench, shelves or tool box.
• 🔥 The condenser is suitable for homemade radiator or a heat exchanger.
• 🛡️ From the door you will get shield for welding work (if you weld legs).

Plastic and seals:

• ♻️ Plastic shelves can be used as trays for seedlings.
• 🚪 Sealing rubber - as a gasket for doors or windows.
• 🎨 The lamp body is suitable for a homemade lamp.

If you don’t want to bother with alterations, sell the working parts:

• 📌 Compressor - ~500–1500 rubles (depending on the model).
• 📌 Thermostat - ~200–500 rubles.
• 📌 Copper tubes - ~300–500 rubles/kg.

On ad sites (Avito, Yula) there is always a demand for spare parts from Turk, especially if the refrigerator was in good condition.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disassembling the Biryusa refrigerator

Is it possible to disassemble the Biryusa refrigerator without bleeding the freon?

Technically it is possible, but this is dangerous. If the system is sealed, the freon is under pressure. If the tubes are damaged, it can escape with force, causing frostbite to the skin or poisoning. If the refrigerator did not work for several years, the freon could evaporate on its own, but it is impossible to check this without special equipment. It is better to bleed it off in a controlled manner.

How to understand that the compressor is still working?

You can check the compressor in two ways:

1. Visually: Inspect it for oil stains, rust or damage to the windings. If the case is intact, the chances of working are higher.
2. Electrically: Connect it to the network for 1-2 minutes (without freon!). If it hums, heats up and vibrates, it is most likely working. If it just clicks or does not respond, it is faulty.

⚠️ Do not connect the compressor for a long time without refrigerant - this can lead to overheating.

What to do if the bolts are rusty and not unscrew?

There are several ways:

1. Treat the bolts WD-40 or with kerosene, wait 10-15 minutes.
2. Tap the heads with a hammer through a metal die (this will help knock them down rust).
3. Use impact screwdriver or a drill attachment with an impact function.
4. As a last resort, cut the bolts grinder, but be careful to do not damage the tubes.

If the bolt is broken, drill it with a drill, then cut a new thread with a tap.

Can parts from Biryusa be used in other refrigerators?

Yes, many parts are compatible with Soviet-made refrigerators:

• Compressors suitable for ZIL, Minsk, Orsk (must be checked by model).
• Thermostats (for example, TAM-112) are interchangeable with similar models.
• Capacitors and evaporators can be adapted if the dimensions and type of freon match.

Before replacing, check with passport data the donor and recipient refrigerator.

Where to return the old Biryusa refrigerator if you don’t want to disassemble?

There are several options:

• 🔄 Scrap metal collection points —many accept refrigerators with an additional charge for freon (from 300 to 1000 rubles).
• ♻️ Ecotechnoparks —in some cities there are special sites for recycling equipment.
• 🚛 Bulky waste removal services —usually paid (from 500 rubles).
• 📞 Private workshops —some buy old refrigerators for spare parts.

Check with your local administration - in some regions there are programs for free disposal household appliances.