The question of the content of non-ferrous metals in broken household appliances often occurs among owners planning to scrap the unit, or among craftsmen involved in the repair and restoration of components. Double-chamber refrigerators Stinolmanufactured in Lipetsk remain popular due to their maintainability and availability of spare parts, but their internal structure has undergone changes over the decades. To accurately answer how much copper is in the case, it is necessary to take into account not only the brand, but also the year of manufacture of a particular model, as well as the type of refrigerant used.
The weight of copper scrap directly depends on the design of the evaporator and condenser, which in different series could be made of aluminum or steel, which significantly reduces the final figure. On average, from one two-chamber refrigerator Stinol it is possible to extract from 1.5 to 3.5 kilograms of pure metal, but this variation is due to the technological solutions of the plant at different production periods. Understanding these nuances will help you realistically assess the cost of the equipment being handed over or the need for its deep disassembly.
Design features of Stinol refrigerators
Brand units Stinol were created with an eye on European standards of energy efficiency and reliability, which was reflected in the choice of materials for heat exchange systems. The main consumers of copper in a design are the compressor, shut-off valves, connecting pipes and, in some cases, evaporator elements. However, plant engineers often combined materials: steel tubes for the door perimeter heating circuit and aluminum coils for the main cooling in order to reduce costs.
It is important to distinguish between models with an open and closed type of evaporator. Older or budget two-chamber versions often used a “crying” system with an aluminum evaporator, while modern analogues or models with the system require more copper for condensate drainage and fan operation, although the evaporator itself is also often aluminum. The compressor, which is the heart of the system, almost always contains a winding made of electrical copper, the weight of which varies depending on the engine power. No Frost require more copper for condensate drainage and fan operation, although the evaporator itself is also often aluminum. The compressor, which is the heart of the system, almost always contains a winding made of electrical copper, the weight of which varies depending on the engine power.
⚠️ Attention: The design of heat exchangers in different batches of refrigerators Stinol could change without changing the model marking. Always open and check the material of the tubes before estimating the weight of the scrap, since the visual similarity of aluminum and steel after oxidation can be misleading.
Particular attention should be paid to the system defrosting. Two-chamber models often have a heating element or heating circuit, which can be made of nichrome or steel, but connected through copper wires. Also in the refrigerant circulation system, filter-driers and capillary tubes are used, where copper is the main material that ensures tightness and thermal conductivity of the circuit.
Factors influencing the weight of copper in the unit
The first thing determines the amount of valuable metal - this is the type of refrigerant for which the refrigerator is designed. Models running on R134a or R600a (isobutane) often have thinner tubes and a smaller condenser diameter compared to ancient units using freon R12. This is due to different operating pressures and heat transfer requirements, which directly affects the footage and wall thickness of the tubes used.
The second critical factor is the volume of the chambers and the number of compressors. A two-chamber refrigerator Stinol can be equipped with one powerful compressor or two separate motors for each chamber. The presence of two compressors theoretically doubles the amount of copper in the motor windings, however, the total weight of the unit increases disproportionately due to the increase in the mass of steel in the housing and partitions.
- 🔹 Year of manufacture: Models of the early 90s often used more massive capacitors and more copper in the windings, while in products of the 2000s a trend towards savings began materials.
- 🔹 Cooling system: Units with the system No Frost contain additional copper elements in the control circuit for fans and sensors, but the evaporator itself is almost always aluminum.
- 🔹 Condenser type: Rear grille (black) is usually steel, but the internal condenser, located in the foamed space or on the side walls, can be made of copper-aluminum alloy or pure copper.
The third aspect is the condition of the unit. If the refrigerator was subjected to unqualified repairs, some of the original copper tubes could be replaced with aluminum or steel using adapters. In this case, the actual yield of scrap will be lower than the calculated one. The presence of a system also influences anti-corrosion protectionwhich sometimes requires the use of specific alloys in the soldering areas.
Where exactly is copper located in the refrigerator Stinol
The main reservoir of non-ferrous metal in any refrigerator is compressor. Inside the sealed casing there is an electric motor whose windings are made of copper. In two-chamber models Stinol the weight of copper only in the compressor windings can be from 0.3 to 0.8 kg, depending on the motor power. However, this copper can only be extracted by mechanically opening the casing, which requires special tools and skills.
The second place in terms of metal content is capacitor. In classic models, it is a black grille at the back, which is most often made of steel for better heat transfer and resistance to damage. However, the connecting pipes going from the compressor to the condenser and then to the filter drier are almost always copper. It is this area that is most often scrapped, since it is easily accessible after removing the back panel.
The third zone is evaporator and the capillary tube. The capillary tube responsible for throttling the refrigerant is thin and long, it is entirely copper. Its weight is low, but the purity of the metal is high. The evaporator in two-chamber refrigerators Stinol most often is aluminum, especially in the freezer compartment, but in the refrigerator compartment sometimes there were copper-aluminum structures, where the coil tubes were copper and the plates were aluminum.
| Component | Material of execution | Approximate weight of copper (kg) | Availability of extraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor (windings) | Copper (inside the casing) | 0.3 - 0.8 | Low (requires opening) |
| Pipelines (discharge/suction) | Copper | 0.4 - 0.9 | High |
| Condenser (grid) | Steel (often) | 0.0 - 0.1 | Medium |
| Capillary tube | Copper | 0.05 - 0.1 | Medium (inside the body) |
⚠️ Attention: When trying to remove copper from the compressor, remember that oil and residual refrigerant under pressure may remain inside. It is necessary to open the compressor housing with a grinder or saw in compliance with fire safety measures and in a well-ventilated area.
Why are the tubes silver in some models?
The silver color of the tubes often indicates that they are made of copper-plated steel (copper-plated steel) or aluminum. This is done to reduce the cost of the design. You can check the material with a magnet: steel is magnetic, copper and aluminum are not.
The estimated amount of copper in different models
The model range Stinol is extensive, and the amount of copper in two-chamber refrigerators can vary significantly. Let's look at the average data for popular series. For series models Stinol 102 or 104 The use of standard compressors is typical, where the copper output is about 2 kg, provided that all accessible components are completely disassembled. This is the “golden mean” for this brand.
Larger models, such as Stinol 116 or series with index K (large-sized), can contain up to 3 kg of non-ferrous metal. This is due to the increased length of pipelines and a more powerful compressor required to cool a larger volume of chambers. At the same time, compact two-chamber versions designed for embedding often have a trimmed outline and a smaller motor, which reduces scrap output to 1.2–1.5 kg.
It is also worth considering modifications with the system No Frost. In addition to the main circuit, they contain additional elements, but the main emphasis is on aluminum heat exchangers for intensive airflow. Therefore, paradoxically, in simple “drip” two-chamber units there may be a little more copper due to the design of the evaporator, if it is not made entirely of aluminum.
- 🔸 Stinol 101/102/103: Classic two-chamber models. Expected copper yield: 1.8 – 2.3 kg.
- 🔸 Stinol 110/116: Increased volume. Expected copper yield: 2.2 – 2.8 kg.
- 🔸 Stinol No Frost: Models with automatic defrosting. Expected copper yield: 1.5 – 2.0 kg (less due to aluminum evaporators).
It is important to understand that these figures are relevant for the factory configuration. If the refrigerator has undergone a compressor replacement or circuit repair, the actual amount of copper may be less. Craftsmen often use available materials and do not always adhere to the original metal specifications.
Scrap extraction and sorting technology
The process of extracting non-ferrous metals from a refrigerator begins with dismantling the attachments. First, the back cover is removed, revealing access to the compressor and condenser. At this stage, it is important to carefully cut the tubes that go to the compressor so as not to damage them and maintain the length. For cutting, it is best to use a pipe cutter, which gives a smooth edge without chips, although in scrap conditions a hacksaw is often used.
Next follows the stage of separating the materials. Copper tubes must be stripped of insulation, if present, and separated from steel elements. Often, steel inserts or solders that are not copper are used at joints (soldering). To get the right price at the collection point, you should sort out “burnt” copper (cleaned of insulation by fire, which is not recommended due to the loss of properties) and “shine” (pure, uncut copper).
⚠️ Warning: When handing over scrap refrigerators, collection points may underestimate the weight, arguing that there is oil or solder inside the tubes. Request that the cleaned tubing be weighed separately from the compressor if you want to receive a fair payment.
Extracting copper from the compressor itself is a labor-intensive process. The casing is sawed along the seam, the “inner” (stator and rotor) is removed. The stator is heated by the burner until red hot, after which the windings are knocked out. However, this method is justified only when processing a large amount of equipment. For one or two refrigerators, it is easier to hand over the compressor as is or entirely, since the labor costs may not be worth it.
☑️ Procedure for disassembling the refrigerator
Economic feasibility and the market for recycled materials
The cost of copper on the market for recycled materials fluctuates (fluctuates), but remains invariably high compared to steel and aluminum. However, when deciding to disassemble the refrigerator Stinol for the sake of metal, it is necessary to take into account the cost of tools, electricity and, most importantly, time. Often, the cost of the delivered scrap barely covers the cost of transporting the heavy unit to the collection point.
A more rational approach is to sell a refrigerator that is in working order or subject to repair. Even a non-working unit may be of interest to craftsmen for using entire components (compressor, doors, electronics), which will be valued higher than the weight of copper in scrap. In addition, many service centers offer disposal of old equipment for free or with a small surcharge, taking over the transportation themselves.
If the goal is to obtain non-ferrous metal, then it is most profitable to disassemble units that have already been delivered to the site and do not require additional logistics costs. In this case, every kilogram copper becomes pure profit. It is also worth considering that scrap prices are divided into categories: “mix”, “shine”, “burnt”, and the preparation of metal for delivery directly affects the final amount.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that two-chamber refrigerators Stinol contain quite a decent amount of copper, especially in the compressor and connecting highways. However, turning home appliances into a source of raw materials requires certain skills and tools. Before picking up an angle grinder, weigh the pros and cons; perhaps the device will still serve someone after an inexpensive repair.
Exactly how many kilograms of copper are in the Stinol compressor?
The weight of the copper winding in the Stinol refrigerator compressor varies from 0.3 to 0.8 kg depending on the model and year of manufacture. The exact figure can only be found out after opening the casing and weighing.
Is it possible to hand over a Stinol refrigerator entirely as scrap?
Yes, many collection points accept entire refrigerators, but pay for them at the price of black scrap or mixed scrap, which is much cheaper than the cost of extracted copper.
What is the difference between copper and aluminum tubes in the refrigerator?
Copper tubes are yellowish in color, non-magnetic and heavier. Aluminum - silver, lightweight, also not magnetic, but softer and cheaper. Steel tubes are magnetic.
Does it make sense to disassemble the refrigerator for copper yourself?
Do-it-yourself disassembly makes sense if you already have the tools, a place to work and an accessible collection point with good prices. Otherwise, the investment of time and effort may not be worth it.