Where is copper in the refrigerator: a complete guide to finding and extracting

Copper is one of the most valuable metals in household appliances, and refrigerators are no exception. If you are engaged in selling non-ferrous scrap metal or just want to understand the structure of your refrigerator, knowledge of where exactly is copper locatedwill help save time and avoid mistakes during disassembly. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nodes where copper is concentrated, talk about its amount in different models and give practical advice on safe extraction.

It is important to understand that copper in the refrigerator is unevenly distributed. Its main reserves are concentrated in compressor, condenser i pipelines, but there are also less obvious details that many people forget about. In addition, the amount of copper depends on the age of the equipment: old Soviet refrigerators ("ZIL", "Biryusa", "Minsk") contain much more of it than modern models with aluminum replacements.

Before starting disassembly, make sure that the refrigerator is unplugged and completely defrosted. Working with freon and electricity requires caution - if you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact a specialist. In the article we focus on independent search for copper, but do not call for risky actions.

1. The compressor is the main source of copper in the refrigerator

The compressor (or refrigerator motor) is the “heart” of the system, and it is here that the maximum amount of copper is concentrated. Inside the compressor housing there is copper wire windingwhich can weigh from 300 grams to 1.5 kg depending on the model. Externally, the compressor looks like a black cylindrical block, usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator at the back.

To get to the copper, you need a compressor cut. To do this you will need:

• 🔧 Grinder or hacksaw (for neat cutting of the body).
• 🛠️ Pliers or wire cutters (for removing the winding).
• 🧤 Gloves and safety glasses (required - splinters are possible when cutting!).

Inside the compressor you will find:

• 🧵 Copper winding (main scrap).
• 🔘 Contacts and terminals (also contain copper, but in smaller quantities).
• ⚙️ Piston group (there is no copper here, but there may be other metals).

Modern inverter compressors (for example, in models Samsung Digital Inverter or LG Smart Inverter) contain less copper, since their windings are thinner and more compact. In old refrigerators (Dnepr, Orsk, Nord), the copper winding is thicker, which means there will be more scrap.

2. Condenser and evaporator: hidden reserves of copper

The condenser (radiator on the back wall of the refrigerator) and evaporator (tubes inside or behind the back panel) also contain copper, but in less quantity than the compressor. In most models, these parts are made of copper tubes, but in budget refrigerators aluminum analogues can be used.

How to distinguish copper from aluminum:

• 🔴 Copper has a reddish tint, over time becomes covered with a green coating (patina).
• ⚪ Aluminium —silver, light, non-magnetic.

In a capacitor, copper is usually hidden under the cooling fins (thin aluminum plates). To remove it, you will have to:

1. Cut off the tubes with a grinder or pipe cutter.
2. Remove the aluminum ribs (they are attached by flaring or soldering).
3. Clean the copper tubes from solder residues.

B evaporator (especially in systems No Frost), copper is often combined with aluminum. For example, in refrigerators Atlant or Indesit the evaporator can be entirely aluminum, and the tubes can be copper. To avoid mistakes, use a magnet: copper does not magnetize, neither does aluminum, but they can be easily distinguished by color and weight.

3. Electrical wiring and starting relay: small but valuable details

In addition to large components, copper is contained in wires, terminals and start relay. Although its quantity here is small (from 50 to 200 grams), these parts are easy to remove without special tools.

Where to look:

• 🔌 Power cable (copper conductors inside the insulation).
• 🔄 Start relay (small box next to the compressor, inside there are copper contacts).
• 🔗 Terminals and connecting wires (on the back panel of the refrigerator).

To extract copper from wires, it is enough to remove the insulation with a knife or stripper. In the start relay, the copper is hidden under a plastic case - it needs to be opened with a screwdriver. Please note: in some models the relay may be sealed (for example, in refrigerators Liebert or Electrolux), and to open it you will need a grinder.

Is it worth spending time on small details? If you sell scrap wholesale, then yes - every gram counts. If copper is needed for personal purposes (for example, for soldering), then wires and terminals will be a good source.

4. Table: Copper content in refrigerators of different brands

The amount of copper varies depending on the model, year of manufacture and type of cooling system. Below are indicative data for popular brands:

The data in the table is approximate - the actual amount of copper may differ by ±10–15%. For example, in refrigerators with the system No Frost some of the tubes are replaced with aluminum, which reduces the overall weight of non-ferrous metal.

5. How to safely remove copper: step-by-step instructions

Disassembling a refrigerator for copper requires care. Here step-by-step algorithmthat will help you avoid mistakes:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the network and let it sit for 24 hours (so that the freon settles).
2. Remove the back panel - usually it fastened with screws or latches.
3. Disconnect the compressor:
   • Cut the tubes with a pipe cutter.
   • Unscrew the mounting bolts.
   • Carefully remove the compressor.
4. Saw the compressor:
   • Cut the body with a grinder along the line of the weld.
   • Break it with a hammer.
   • Remove the winding with pliers.
5. Remove the condenser and evaporator:
   • Cut the tubes, maintaining the maximum length.
   • Remove the aluminum fins (if any).

Check the wires and relays for the presence of copper.

Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet

Waited 24 hours for the freon to settle

Prepared the tools (grinder, pliers, screwdriver)

Put on protective gloves and goggles

Put a rag under the compressor (in case of leakage oil)-->

⚠️ Attention: When cutting the compressor, freon residues may be released. Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, stop working immediately and go to fresh air.

If the refrigerator was running on freon R-12 or R-22 (older models), its residues can be dangerous. Modern refrigerants (R-134a, R-600a) are less toxic, but also require caution.

6. Common mistakes when searching for copper and how to avoid them

Many beginners make the same mistakes that lead to loss of time or injury. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔨 Attempting to cut the compressor without fixing it —it can “escape” from under the grinder disc. Solution: clamp the compressor in a vice or place it on a stable surface.
• 🔥 Ignoring freon residues - even a small amount of refrigerant can cause poisoning. Solution: use a respirator and work outdoors.
• ⚡ Disassembly under voltage —some “craftsmen” forget to turn off the refrigerator. Solution: check the absence of voltage with a tester.
• 🧲 Confusion with aluminum —they mistake aluminum tubes for copper. Solution: use a magnet and visual inspection.

Another typical mistake is incomplete disassembly. For example, many people forget about:

• 🔌 Thermostat (there may be a copper spiral inside).
• 💡 Backlight (lamp wires contain copper).
• 📡 Control board (modern models have copper tracks).

If you are disassembling a refrigerator with electronic control (for example, Samsung Family Hub or Bosch KAN92VI30), pay attention on printed circuit boards. They contain not only copper, but also other valuable metals (gold, silver), which can also be extracted.

What to do with freon?

If the refrigerator is still working, freon can be saved to refuel other equipment. To do this you will need:

1. Vacuum pump.

2. Refrigerant cylinder.

3. Manometric manifold.

It is not recommended to drain freon without special equipment - it is dangerous and illegal (in some countries a license to work with refrigerants is required).

7. Where to donate copper from the refrigerator: tips for selling

Recovered copper can be taken to collection points for non-ferrous scrap metal. The price depends on the purity of the metal and current market quotes. Here's what you need to know:

• 💰 Pure copper (winding, tubes without solder) is more expensive - up to 700–900 rubles/kg (for 2026).
• 🔧 Copper with impurities (with remains of aluminum, solder) cheaper - 400–600 rub/kg.
• ⚖️ Minimum weight for delivery —usually from 1 kg (in some points - from 5 kg).

Where to look for collection points:

• 📍 Scrap metal depots (large companies, for example, Vtorchermet).
• 🏭 Recycling plants (often offer the best prices).
• 🌐 Online platforms (Avito, Yula - for private transactions).

Before delivery:

1. Clean the copper from insulation, plastic and other impurities.
2. Sort by type (wires, tubes, winding).
3. Check current prices by phone - they can change daily.

⚠️ Attention: Some collection points refuse to accept copper from refrigerators if there is oil or refrigerant residue on it. Before handing over, wash the parts with kerosene or a special solvent.

8. Alternative ways to use copper from the refrigerator

It is not necessary to scrap copper. If you have skills in working with metal, you can use it:

• 🔥 For soldering —copper wire from the winding is excellent for electrical installation work.
• ⚡ In homemade electrical appliances —for example, for winding transformers.
• 🏡 In decor —copper tubes can be used to make lamps, frames or furniture in the style steampunk.
• 🔋 In batteries systems —copper is used to create contacts.

If you are involved in amateur radio, copper from the refrigerator will be an excellent material for:

• Manufacture inductors.
• Creation antennas (for example, for Wi-Fi or radio).
• Installation printed circuit boards (etching method).

For artistic purposes, copper can be:

• Oxidize with vinegar and salt to create patina.
• Bend into various shapes (tubes bend easily after heating).
• Combine with other metals (for example, brass) for smithing work.

If you decide to use copper for household purposes, be sure to clean it of oil and other contaminants. To do this:

1. Rinse the parts in kerosene or gasoline.
2. Wipe with ammonia to remove oxides.
3. If necessary, polish with fine sandpaper.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about copper in refrigerator

🔍 How much copper can be extracted from one refrigerator?

On average - from 300 grams to 1.5 kg. The exact quantity depends on the model:

• Soviet refrigerators (ZIL, Biryusa) - 1–1.5 kg.
• Modern budget models (Atlant, Indesit) - 0.5–0.8 kg.
• Premium refrigerators (Samsung, LG with inverter compressors) - 0.3–0.6 kg.

Maximum copper is contained in the compressor (up to 70% of the total volume), the rest is distributed between tubes and wires.

⚠️ Is it dangerous to disassemble the refrigerator yourself?

Main risks:

• Freon — if opened incorrectly, it can cause poisoning.
• Sharp edges — when cutting the compressor or pipes it is easy get hurt.
• Electricity —residual charge in capacitors (rare, but possible).

How to minimize risks:

• Work with gloves and glasses.
• Use a tool with insulated handles.
• Do not inhale fumes when cutting the compressor.

🔧 What tools are needed to extract copper?

Minimum set:

• A grinder or a hacksaw for metal (for a compressor).
• Pipe cutter (for neat cutting of tubes).
• Pliers and wire cutters (for removing windings).
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat).
• Hammer (for opening the compressor housing).

Additionally, the following may be useful:

• Vise (for fixing the compressor).
• Respirator (protection from dust and freon).
• Multimeter (checking residual voltage).

💰 Is it profitable to disassemble a refrigerator for copper?

It depends on:

• Copper prices (in 2026 - about 700-900 rubles/kg for pure metal).
• Refrigerator models (Soviet ones have more copper than modern ones).
• Your costs (electricity, tools, time).

Approximate calculation for a refrigerator ZIL-63:

• Copper: 1.3 kg × 800 rub/kg = 1040 rub.
• Aluminum (condenser fins): 2 kg × 100 rubles/kg = 200 rubles.
• Total: 1240 rubles (minus possible transportation costs).

For a modern refrigerator (Atlant) the profit will be about 400–600 rubles. Is it profitable? If you already have the tools and experience, yes. If you have to buy everything, it’s unlikely.

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

Yes, many scrap metal collection points accept entire refrigerators, but they pay significantly less than for disassembled copper. Reasons:

• They will have to spend time disassembling.
• There are a lot of other materials in the refrigerator (plastic, polyurethane foam) that complicate recycling.
• Freon requires special disposal.

Average cost of reception the whole refrigerator - 200–500 rubles (depending on weight and model). If you are willing to spend 1–2 hours on disassembly, your revenue will increase by 3–5 times.