The question of how much copper can be extracted from an old refrigerator often arises among those who plan to scrap household appliances or are engaged in professional collection of non-ferrous metals. At first glance, it may seem that this huge box full of metal would be an easy target for scrapping, but reality dictates its conditions. The bulk of the body is ferrous metal (steel), which is valued much cheaper, and precious copper is hidden in hard-to-reach places and in very small quantities.
Many mistakenly believe that the entire heat exchanger is pure copper, but modern environmental standards have forced manufacturers to look for alternatives. If you open a unit from the 90s, you will be greeted with a pleasant surprise in the form of yellow metal, but in models released after 2000, the situation has changed dramatically. Aluminum alloys and copper-plated steel has become the norm, which significantly reduces the final weight of the precious metal at the output.
Before you grab the grinder, you need to clearly understand that the amount of non-ferrous metal depends not only on the year of manufacture, but also on the specific model and manufacturer. On average, from one standard refrigerator it is possible to extract from 0.5 to 1.5 kilograms of conventional copper products, if you count them together with brass elements. However, there may be even less pure electrical metal there, so the assessment of the profitability of disassembly should be sober.
Where exactly is copper located in the structure
The main source of non-ferrous metal in refrigeration equipment is compressor (motor-compressor). It is inside this sealed unit that the electric motor winding, made of copper wire, is located. However, you won’t be able to get it just like that: the compressor housing is welded, and to remove the contents, it requires opening it, which at home often turns into a labor-intensive process using a hacksaw or a powerful grinder.
The second place where this metal was traditionally looked for is heat exchangerconsisting from a condenser (grid at the back) and an evaporator (inside the freezer or behind the back wall). In old Soviet models and units produced in the 80s and 90s, these tubes were made of pure copper or brass with a high copper content. They have a characteristic yellowish-red tint and are easily distinguishable from silver aluminum.
⚠️ Attention: In modern refrigerators with the No Frost system, the evaporator tubes are often made of aluminum, and only the areas directly adjacent to the compressor remain copper, or are absent altogether, being replaced with galvanized steel.
The third source is electrical wiring and the starting relay contacts. Although the volume of wire here is small, it is a high-grade metal. It is also worth paying attention to the capillary tube that connects the condenser and the evaporator: in some models it can be copper, but most often it is the thinnest steel or alloy that is of no interest for non-ferrous metal.
The weight of copper depending on the type and year of manufacture
The amount of metal extracted directly correlates with the age of your equipment. The older the refrigerator, the greater the chances of finding high-quality non-ferrous metals in it in significant quantities. Manufacturers are constantly optimizing costs by replacing expensive materials with cheaper analogues, therefore copper weight in new models they strive for minimum values.
In devices produced in the USSR and in the first years of the post-Soviet space (before 1995), the copper content is maximum. Here you can find copper radiator tubes and heavy windings in compressors. Starting from the late 90s, the era of substitution begins: aluminum appears, and copper remains only in critical components, such as motor windings.
Modern models (after 2010) are practically devoid of visible copper elements in the external circuits. The entire heat exchanger is made of aluminum or steel, and the copper remains exclusively within the sealed compressor block. This makes dismantling such units to obtain non-ferrous metal economically unfeasible, unless you have access to industrial equipment for processing.
Table: Approximate metal content
For clarity, we present data that will help form an approximate idea of what volume of production you can count on. The numbers are averages, since the designs of different brands (Indesit, Bosch, Atlant, Liebherr) may differ significantly.
| Type of refrigerator / Year of manufacture | Where is the copper located | Approximate weight (grams) | Reality of extraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet (before 1990) | Radiator tubes, evaporator, winding | 1000 - 1500 g | High (pure metal) |
| Import/CIS (1990-2000) | Condenser tubes, winding | 500 - 900 g | Medium (mixture with brass) |
| Modern (2000-2010 gg.) | Only winding, partially compressor tubes | 200 - 400 g | Low (lots of steel) |
| New (after 2010) | Exclusively motor winding | 100 - 250 g | Minimum (aluminium) |
It is worth noting that the indicated figures refer specifically to non-ferrous metal. The total weight of ferrous metal (case, shelves, steel tubes) can reach 30-50 kg, but its cost at scrap collection points is much lower. Therefore, when you hand over the entire refrigerator, you get money for the weight, and not for the value of the materials.
Extraction technology and safety
The process of extracting copper from a refrigerator cannot be called simple or safe without proper preparation. The first step should always be to unplug the appliance and completely defrost it. Residual moisture can create problems when working with power tools, and the refrigerant inside the system requires special attention.
To remove the winding from the compressor, you must:
- 🛠️ Cut off the upper part of the compressor housing with a grinder or a hacksaw, being careful not to damage the winding.
- 🔥 Heat the stator (if possible) to facilitate knocking out the copper, although the force method is most often used.
- 🔨 Knock out the copper coil from the set of electric motor plates using a heavy hammer or sledgehammer.
- ✂️ Clean the wire from insulation if the receiving point requires pure copper without windings.
⚠️ Attention: Refrigerant (freon) circulates inside the system. When sawing the pipes it comes out. Although modern freons are less toxic than old ones, their vapors cannot be inhaled in a closed room strongly not recommended. Work should be carried out outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
With heat exchanger pipes everything is simpler: they are bitten off with nippers or sawed through. The problem is determining whether the pipe is copper or aluminum. Aluminum is softer, lighter and has a matte gray color, while copper is heavier and has a reddish tint when cut. You cannot mix these metals when handing over - this will lead to a reduction in the price for all scrap.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
Economic feasibility of disassembly
Before starting dismantling, it is worth carrying out simple mathematical calculations. The cost of copper at collection points varies, but it is always higher than the price of ferrous scrap or mixed non-ferrous metal. However, if your refrigerator only has 200 grams of copper, and the rest is 40 kg of steel, then the effort of separation may not be worth it.
Let's consider two scenarios. In the first case, you have an old Soviet unit that could potentially contain up to 1.5 kg of copper and brass. Disassembly will take time, but the final amount can be 2-3 times higher than when handing over the whole thing. In the second case - modern Samsung or LG, where there is a minimum of copper. Here it is more profitable to hand over the device as is, perhaps even receiving a delivery bonus if you hand over many units.
It is also worth considering the cost of tools and consumables. If you have to buy a disc for an angle grinder, gloves, a respirator and spend gasoline to travel to the collection point, the net profit may approach zero. For individuals, disassembly makes sense only if there is a large amount of equipment (for example, when cleaning a garage or cottage).
Hidden cost of time
Calculate how much your hour of work costs. If disassembling one refrigerator takes 2 hours, and you earn more at your main job than you get for copper, the game is not worth the candle.
The influence of the model and brand on the content of precious metals
Not all refrigerators are the same in terms of internal filling. European brands, such as Bosch, Siemens or Liebherr, have traditionally used higher quality materials even in budget lines, however, they have also switched to aluminum for the sake of the environment. In their older models (before 2000), you can find high-quality brass fittings and thicker tubing walls.
Asian manufacturers (LG, Samsung, Daewoo) often use thinner materials and quickly switched to aluminum contours. In some budget Chinese models, copper may be present only in the form of a microscopic amount in the solder or in the contacts of the electronics. Soviet technology (Biryusa, Saratov, Minsk) in this regard was a “gold mine” of the past, characterized by an excessive margin of safety and the use of non-ferrous metals where plastic is now placed.
Industrial refrigerators are worth mentioning separately. The amount of copper in them can be many times greater due to powerful compressors and large heat exchangers. Disassembling one industrial unit can be equivalent to disassembling a dozen household ones.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to hand over the entire refrigerator as non-ferrous scrap?
No, collection points for non-ferrous metals require separation. If you bring the entire refrigerator, it will be weighed as ferrous scrap or mixed non-ferrous metal at a minimum price. To obtain the cost of copper, it is necessary to dismantle and clean the copper elements from impurities.
What to do with freon during disassembly?
Freon must be vented before starting work. Ideally, this should be done by specialists using gas collection equipment so as not to harm the environment. In domestic conditions, the gas is simply released into the atmosphere, which is undesirable, but is often practiced during makeshift disassembly.
Is there gold or silver in the refrigerator?
Precious metals may be contained in microscopic quantities in electronic control boards (if the refrigerator has a display and complex electronics). However, extracting gold from circuit boards requires chemical reagents and on an industrial scale; in domestic conditions this is impractical.
Why are there no copper tubes in new refrigerators?
This is due to the rise in price of copper and environmental requirements. Aluminum is lighter, cheaper to produce and easier to recycle. In addition, modern technologies make it possible to create efficient heat exchangers made of aluminum that are not inferior to copper analogues.
How much does 1 kg of copper cost at the moment?
The price of copper constantly fluctuates (fluctuates) depending on stock exchange quotes. The exact price on the day of delivery can only be found by calling the nearest scrap metal collection point, since prices may vary even within the same city.