The question of how much copper is in a failed refrigerator often arises among equipment owners planning to recycle the unit, or among craftsmen involved in the repair and restoration of components. Refrigerators Stinol, popular in the 90s and 2000s, have their own design features that directly affect the weight and composition of the non-ferrous metals they contain. Understanding the internal structure helps not only to estimate the cost of scrap, but also to understand whether it is worth restoring a particular component or whether it is easier to replace it entirely.
It is worth noting right away that the exact amount of copper depends on the year of manufacture of the model, the type of compressor and the design of the heat exchanger. Early models were often more "heavy" in terms of metal use, while in later versions manufacturers began to optimize material costs. On average, from one two-chamber refrigerator you can get from 0.5 to 1.5 kg of pure non-ferrous metal, if you consider only the external contours and the engine.
However, to obtain accurate figures it is necessary to disassemble the unit in detail into its components. Copper it is unevenly distributed in the refrigerator: the bulk is concentrated in the motor-compressor, as well as in the tubes condenser and evaporator. The rest of the structure is steel, plastic and insulating materials, which are of no value to non-ferrous metal buyers. Let's look at each node separately so that you can get a realistic picture.
⚠️ Attention: Removing copper from the refrigerator requires dismantling sealed components. A refrigerant (freon) circulates in the system, which is harmful when released into the atmosphere, and can form toxic compounds when in contact with an open fire. Do not cut through the pipes without first removing the gas.
The design and arrangement of copper elements
A two-chamber refrigerator Stinol is a complex thermodynamic system. Copper is used here due to its exceptional thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. The main places where this metal is localized are the compressor discharge tube, the capillary tube and, in some models, part of the condenser. However, in most household black Stinol models that can be found in apartments, the capacitor is made of steel rather than copper, which often comes as a surprise to beginners.
The most valuable unit is compressor. Inside the sealed casing there is an electric motor with windings and the compressor mechanism itself. The motor windings are made of copper wire, which makes up a significant portion of the weight of the internal contents of the motor. The inlet and outlet pipes are also copper, although their weight is low. In older models, the weight of the windings could reach several hundred grams of pure metal.
The second important element is evaporator. In two-chamber models it is located in the freezer. In older or more expensive modifications Stinol the evaporator could be made of copper tubes with aluminum plates or completely copper. Modern and mass-produced versions use aluminum, which is much cheaper and lighter. You can determine the material by a magnet (copper and aluminum are not magnetic) or by the color of the cut (copper is reddish, aluminum is silver).
Analysis of the contents of the motor-compressor
The largest “piece” of copper in the refrigerator is inside the compressor. In order to get to it, it is necessary to open the sealed casing, which is a labor-intensive and dangerous process. Inside there is a stator with windings. The weight of copper here varies depending on the engine power. For standard two-chamber refrigerators Stinol with a power of about 140-160 W, the weight of the copper winding is approximately 300-450 grams.
It is important to distinguish between types of compressors. There are models where the windings are made of aluminum coated with varnish that imitates copper. Such engines are valued much lower. You can determine the winding material by making a small cut at the end of the coil with a needle file: if silvery metal is visible under the varnish, it is aluminum, if it is reddish-yellow, it is copper. In Stinol refrigerators, reliable compressors with copper windings were most often installed, especially in Italian or jointly produced models.
In addition to the windings, the compressor has copper pipes for supplying and discharging the refrigerant, as well as a noise muffler, which may also contain non-ferrous metal. However, the main volume is precisely the winding wire. When the entire compressor is scrapped, it is valued as an “electric motor”, the price for which is lower than for pure “burnt” copper. Therefore, to maximize profits, compressors are often accumulated and handed over after preliminary cutting.
Pipelines and heat exchangers
Looking at the piping system of a two-chamber refrigerator, you can see that copper is used selectively. The capillary tube responsible for throttling the refrigerant is always made of copper due to the need for precise control of the diameter and inertness of the material. However, its weight is negligible - only 10–20 grams for the entire unit. The main mass in the circulation system is the condenser.
In most models Stinol, especially those produced during the period of mass production, the condenser (black grille at the back) is made of steel pipe. This is done to reduce cost and increase mechanical strength, since the steel is more difficult to damage during transportation. If your refrigerator has such a condenser, then there is practically no copper in the circulation system, with the exception of short connecting sections.
The situation changes when we consider the evaporator. In the freezer compartment of two-compartment models, a “crying wall” or open coil evaporator is often installed. If the coil has a characteristic copper sheen (before oxidation) and is not magnetic, you are in luck. The weight of such a unit can be from 0.5 to 1 kg of copper, depending on the dimensions of the freezer. However, as mentioned earlier, aluminum dominates in budget models.
Table of distribution of non-ferrous metals by components
For clarity, we present data that will help you navigate the approximate weight of copper extracted from various components of a two-chamber refrigerator of the brand Stinol. The data are averaged, since modifications may vary.
| Refrigerator assembly | Material of execution | Approximate weight of copper (kg) | Value for delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor windings | Copper (most often) / Aluminum | 0.3 - 0.5 | High (if copper) |
| Capacitor (grid) | Steel (in 90% of models) | 0.0 - 0.1 | Low (black scrap) |
| Evaporator (freezer) | Aluminum / Copper | 0.0 - 0.8 | Medium/High |
| Capillary tube | Copper | 0.02 | Minimum |
| Connecting pipes | Copper / Steel | 0.05 - 0.1 | Low |
The table shows that the main "profit" when disassembling is the compressor and, possibly, the evaporator. The steel capacitor, which occupies most of the volume of the rear panel, is not taken into account in the calculation of copper. This is an important point, since many people mistakenly believe that the entire system is filled with copper tubes.
It is also worth considering that when scrapping, collection points may require the removal of copper parts from steel and aluminum. Mixed scrap (“mix”) is estimated to be much cheaper. Therefore, if you decide to hand over the refrigerator, it makes sense to separate the copper windings and tubes from the steel body and aluminum plates in advance.
Economic feasibility of disassembly
Is the gamble worth it? This question is often asked by those who plan to hand over their old one Stinol. The market value of copper scrap is high, but the labor costs for its extraction are also high. To get pure copper, you need to open the compressor with a grinder, anneal the windings (which is environmentally unsafe and requires compliance with standards) or take a long time to separate the wire from the iron manually.
If we consider selling the entire compressor as an electric motor, the price will be lower, but you will save time and effort. Aluminium, which is often found in evaporators, costs an order of magnitude less copper. Therefore, if you find silver metal in a heat exchanger, you should not count on high profits. The main income is generated precisely due to the high-quality copper winding of the motor.
⚠️ Attention: When you burn insulation from copper wires (if you decide to do this for cleaning), toxic substances are released. Do this only in special ovens with a filtration system. Open burning at the stake is prohibited by law and is harmful to health.
In addition, the refrigerator body itself is several tens of kilograms of high-quality steel, which can also be returned. Sometimes it is more profitable to hand over the entire unit as scrap or even just post an ad for free pickup, since many craftsmen will pick it up themselves for the sake of the compressor and spare parts, saving you on transportation.
☑️ What to check before handing over the refrigerator
The influence of the year of manufacture on the composition of the metal
Refrigerators Stinol were produced in different periods, and technologies changed. Models of the early 90s were often more “metal-intensive”. They featured thicker tube walls and heavier compressors. With the development of technology and the rise in copper prices, manufacturers began to actively introduce replacements. If your model was produced after 2000-2005, the likelihood of finding aluminum in the evaporator and compressor windings (in some series) is higher.
It is also worth considering that two-chamber models may have one or two compressors. In models with two motors (separately for the freezer and refrigerator), the amount of copper is doubled. Such refrigerators Stinol are less common, but they are of greater interest for the extraction of non-ferrous metals. The presence of two motors can be identified by two black “barrels” at the lower rear of the unit.
Precise information about the copper content in a particular model can be found in the technical documentation or service manuals, which indicate the type of refrigerant and sometimes the materials of the heat exchangers. However, in practice it is easiest to rely on visual inspection and magnetic testing. If the tube is not magnetic and has a yellowish tint on the cut, it is copper.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to determine the amount of copper by the weight of the refrigerator itself?
No, the total weight of the refrigerator (usually 40-60 kg) consists mainly of a steel body and glass shelves and plastic. Copper makes up less than 1-2% of the total mass, so weighing the entire unit will not provide accurate information about the content of non-ferrous metal.
Is there a difference in the amount of copper between Stinol refrigerators and other brands?
The difference is minimal. Most manufacturers of household appliances use similar standards and components. The main difference may be in the type of compressor windings (copper or aluminum) and the material of the evaporator, which depends on the specific series, and not just on the brand.
Is it worth buying an old Stinol refrigerator for the sake of copper?
Buying specifically for the sake of copper is not economically feasible. The cost of a used refrigerator often exceeds the cost of the scrap removed from it. Disassembly only makes sense if you received the unit for free and you were already planning to dispose of it.
How to distinguish the copper winding of a compressor from the aluminum winding without damage?
Visually it is difficult to do this, since both are varnished. You can try to carefully scrape off the varnish with a file on the end of the coil (outside the working area). Also, aluminum windings usually have a larger wire diameter for the same power, but this is only visible after disassembly.
Do scrap yards accept entire refrigerators?
Yes, many scrap yards accept entire household appliances, but evaluate them as ferrous scrap (steel), ignoring the copper content inside. To get a price for non-ferrous metal, it is necessary to carry out preliminary cutting and sorting.