So, how much is a fridge worth in scrap metal? The truth is, the fridge scrap value is often not very high, especially if you take it whole to a scrap yard. You might get anywhere from $10 to $50 for a whole, standard-sized refrigerator, depending on its weight and the current appliance scrap metal prices. If you take it apart and separate the different metals, you can earn a bit more, but it takes work. The real value comes from the different metals inside, like steel, copper, and aluminum, each having its own price per pound.
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Grasping Fridge Scrap Value
When you think about scrapping an old fridge, you might hope for a good payout. But a fridge is big and heavy. It’s mostly made of steel, which is not a high-value metal. The steel is the main part of the scrap refrigerator weight.
Scrap yards buy metal by weight. They have different prices for different kinds of metal. Steel is cheap. Copper is expensive. Aluminum is somewhere in between.
So, a fridge has some valuable parts, but they are mixed with a lot of low-value material. This is why taking it apart yourself can make a difference. You can sort the good stuff from the not-so-good stuff.
Why Scrap Your Old Fridge?
Why would you want to scrap an old fridge?
* It stopped working.
* You bought a new one and don’t need the old one.
* It’s old and uses too much power.
* You want to get rid of it the right way.
* You hope to make a little money from it.
Sending an old fridge to a landfill is bad for the earth. Refrigerators have harmful chemicals inside. Recycling them lets us use the metal again. This is good for the planet. Getting a little cash for it is a bonus. This is part of recycling old fridge for cash.
Identifying Valuable Parts Inside a Fridge
A fridge has several parts made of metal. These are the parts a scrap yard wants.
* The Outer Shell and Frame: Mostly steel.
* Shelves and Drawers: Can be plastic, glass, or sometimes metal. Metal ones have scrap value.
* Condenser and Evaporator Coils: These are often made of copper or aluminum. Copper is more valuable.
* The Compressor: This is the heavy black part that makes the fridge cold. It contains steel, copper, and oil.
* Wiring: Copper wires inside the unit.
* Motor(s): Usually in the compressor or for fans. These contain copper wire.
Knowing which parts are metal helps you understand where the fridge scrap value comes from.
Steel Components and Their Worth
Most of the weight in a fridge comes from steel.
* The big metal box outside is steel.
* The frame inside is steel.
* Some shelves might be steel.
* Parts of the motor or compressor casing are steel.
Steel is common. This means it doesn’t sell for much per pound. The scrap steel price per pound is low compared to other metals.
Let’s say a standard fridge weighs 200 pounds. Maybe 150 pounds of that is steel. If scrap steel is $0.05 per pound, that’s only $7.50 for the steel.
So, while steel is the heaviest part, it doesn’t add much to the total fridge scrap value.
Copper: The Hidden Treasure
Copper is much more valuable than steel. You find copper in a fridge mainly in:
* The thin tubes (coils) that carry the coolant.
* The wiring.
* Inside the compressor motor.
The copper tubing scrap value is much higher than steel. Copper prices change often. But copper can be worth $2 to $4 per pound, or even more.
There isn’t a lot of copper in a fridge compared to steel. A standard fridge might have only 1 to 3 pounds of copper tubing and wiring. The compressor also has copper wire inside its motor, maybe another 1 to 3 pounds.
Even a few pounds of copper at a high price can add more value than all the steel.
Aluminum Parts
Aluminum is also found in fridges.
* Some condenser or evaporator coils might be aluminum instead of copper.
* Some internal parts or trays might be aluminum.
Aluminum is worth more than steel but less than copper. It might sell for $0.30 to $0.60 per pound.
Like copper, there isn’t a huge amount of aluminum in a fridge. If the coils are aluminum, you might have 1 to 3 pounds.
The Value of the Fridge Compressor
The compressor is often the most interesting part for scrap metal buyers. It’s heavy. Inside, it has a motor with copper winding and steel casing. It also has oil and maybe some coolant left inside.
The value of fridge compressor scrap depends on how the scrap yard handles it. Some yards will buy the whole compressor as “motor scrap” or “sealed units.” They know there’s copper inside but don’t want to deal with the oil or coolant themselves. They pay a price based on this mixed content. This price is usually better than regular steel but much less than pure copper.
Other yards might want you to drain the oil and cut the copper wire out of the compressor motor. This is more work. But if you do it, you can sell the pure copper for a higher price. The remaining steel shell and motor parts are sold as steel.
A compressor might weigh 20 to 40 pounds. The copper inside might be 10-15% of that weight.
Getting the copper out needs tools and care because of the oil and old coolant. Scrap yards might not pay much for a whole compressor if they have to deal with the fluids.
Factors That Change the Value
The amount of money you get for a fridge depends on several things.
Size and Weight of the Refrigerator
Bigger fridges have more material. More material means more weight. Since scrap is paid by weight, a bigger fridge is usually worth a little more than a small one. The scrap refrigerator weight is a key factor. A small dorm fridge weighs maybe 50 pounds. A large side-by-side fridge can weigh 300 pounds or more. More weight, even low-value steel weight, adds up a bit.
Current Scrap Metal Prices
The price of metal changes every day. It goes up and down based on global markets. The current scrap metal prices for appliances will directly affect how much you get.
* When metal prices are high, you get more.
* When metal prices are low, you get less.
This is true for steel, copper, and aluminum. You can check online scrap metal price guides, but these are often averages. The actual price you get is set by the scrap yard on the day you sell.
Location and the Scrap Yard
Prices for scrap metal vary by location. What a scrap yard in one town pays might be different from a yard in another town.
* Some yards specialize in appliances. They might pay a set price per unit or a slightly better price per pound for mixed appliance scrap.
* Other yards might just buy it as “light iron” (steel) with the compressor removed, or pay a flat rate per pound for everything mixed.
It’s a good idea to call local yards and ask about their scrap yard appliance prices. Ask if the price is better if you take it apart.
Condition and How It’s Taken Apart
A whole fridge is worth the least per pound at a scrap yard. The yard has to process it. They have to deal with the coolant (which costs them money to remove safely) and then take it apart themselves.
If you drain the coolant safely and take the fridge apart into separate piles of steel, copper, aluminum, and the compressor, you can get more money. The yard pays higher prices for clean, sorted metals. This is central to getting more when recycling old fridge for cash.
Deciphering Current Scrap Metal Prices for Appliances
Scrap yards often have different ways of buying appliances.
* By the unit: Some places might just give you a set amount, like $15 or $20, for a whole fridge, no matter the exact weight. This is simple but might not be the most money.
* As light iron: They might weigh the whole fridge (after removing the coolant) and pay you the price for light iron, which is the lowest grade of steel scrap. The compressor might be paid for separately or might need to be removed first.
* By sorted metal: If you take it apart, they pay you the price for steel (light iron), bare bright copper (most valuable copper), insulated copper wire, aluminum, and sealed units (compressors). This usually gives the highest payout per fridge, but requires the most work from you.
To understand the current scrap metal prices for appliances, you need to look at the going rates for:
* Light Iron / Shreddable Steel
* Bare Bright Copper (clean wire or pipe)
* Insulated Copper Wire (wire with plastic coating)
* Aluminum Extrusion (clean aluminum)
* Sealed Units / Motor Scrap (compressors)
These prices change daily. Checking online scrap metal price indexes or calling local yards is the best way to know the current rates.
Interpreting How to Scrap a Refrigerator for Money
Scrapping a fridge for money involves several steps. It’s not just dropping it off.
Safety First!
Refrigerators contain coolant. This is a special chemical that makes the fridge cold. Older fridges used coolants like Freon (R-12) which harm the ozone layer. Newer ones use coolants like R-134a or R-600a. It is illegal in many places to just let this coolant out into the air.
- You need to have the coolant removed by a certified technician before scrapping. Some scrap yards might do this for a fee, or they might require proof that it’s been done. Do NOT cut refrigerant lines yourself. This releases harmful chemicals and is against the law.
- Fridges are heavy. Get help to move them. Lift with your legs, not your back.
- Use proper tools. Wear gloves and eye protection. Sharp metal edges are common.
- Be careful when taking things apart. Springs and parts can snap unexpectedly.
Ignoring safety can lead to injury, legal trouble, or harm to the environment.
Steps for Dismantling (If You Choose To)
Taking a fridge apart takes time and tools. Here’s a general idea of the steps:
- Make sure coolant is removed safely by a pro.
- Remove plastic and glass parts: Doors, shelves, drawers, light covers. These usually have no scrap metal value and are often just trash or need separate recycling.
- Remove the door: Unscrew hinges. Be careful, doors are heavy. You might find metal inside the door panel (steel or aluminum).
- Remove the back panel: This exposes the coils, compressor, and wiring.
- Cut wires: Use wire cutters to remove all electrical wiring. Strip the plastic off copper wires to get a higher price for “bare bright” copper, or keep the plastic on and sell as “insulated copper wire”.
- Remove coils: The condenser coils (usually on the back or bottom) and evaporator coils (inside the freezer/fridge section behind a panel) are either copper or aluminum tubing. Carefully cut the tubes connecting them.
- Remove the compressor: This is usually at the bottom back. It’s held by bolts or mounts. Unscrew or cut the mounts. Be prepared for its weight.
- Separate metals from the compressor: If you want the most value, you can open the compressor (use a metal saw or angle grinder – very dangerous, be careful of residual oil). Inside is the motor with copper windings. Cutting the copper out from the steel core gives you clean copper. The rest is steel scrap. This step is for advanced scrappers and has risks. Many people just sell the whole compressor as a sealed unit.
- Break down the steel shell: Use tools to separate the inner plastic liner from the outer steel shell. This steel is the bulk of the weight.
Sorting the metal is key after dismantling. Put all steel in one pile, copper tubing in another, wire in another, aluminum in another, and the compressor separate.
Required Tools
If you plan to take a fridge apart, you will need tools:
* Screw drivers (Phillips and flathead)
* Wrench set or adjustable wrench
* Wire cutters/strippers
* Metal snips or shears
* Pry bar
* Safety glasses
* Work gloves
* Maybe a reciprocating saw or angle grinder (for compressor or steel frame – use with extreme caution)
* Buckets or containers to sort metals
Finding a Scrap Yard and What to Expect
Not all places that buy scrap metal will take appliances, especially whole ones. Some yards don’t want to deal with the coolant or the mixed materials.
How to Find Appliance Scrap Yards
- Search online for “scrap yard near me” or “metal recycling near me”.
- Look for yards that mention appliance recycling or buying white goods.
- Call yards and ask if they accept refrigerators.
- Ask about their process: Do they need the coolant removed? Do they buy them whole or prefer them taken apart?
- Ask about their scrap yard appliance prices. Get quotes for both whole and dismantled if possible.
What Happens at the Scrap Yard
When you arrive at the scrap yard:
1. Check-in: You might need an ID.
2. Weigh-in: If you have a truck full of metal or a whole fridge, you drive onto a large scale to weigh your vehicle with the metal.
3. Unload: Drive to the designated area for appliances or sorted metals. Unload your items. The yard staff might help or direct you.
4. Second Weigh-in (for vehicles): If you were weighed with the metal, you drive back onto the scale empty. The difference is the weight of your scrap.
5. Material Identification (for sorted metal): If you brought sorted piles, the yard staff will look at them to make sure the metals are separated correctly and identify the type of metal (e.g., bare bright copper vs. insulated copper).
6. Payment: You go to the office. They calculate the value based on the weight of each type of metal and the day’s prices. They will pay you cash, check, or sometimes direct deposit or a prepaid card.
Be honest about what you have. Don’t try to hide trash or non-metal items in your load. Yards don’t like this.
Realistic Expectations for Your Fridge Scrap Value
Based on current prices and the amount of metal in a typical fridge, here are some rough ideas:
- Whole Fridge (Coolant removed by pro): Maybe $10 to $25. The yard weighs it as light iron and subtracts a fee for handling/processing. Some yards might offer a bit more if appliance demand is high.
- Whole Fridge (You remove coolant illegally or lie): A yard might not take it, or might charge you a large fee, or report you. Don’t do this.
- Dismantled Fridge (Metals sorted):
- Steel shell/frame: 100-150 lbs @ $0.04-$0.06/lb = $4 – $9
- Copper Tubing/Wire: 2-5 lbs @ $2.50-$4.00/lb (for clean bare bright) = $5 – $20
- Compressor (sold as sealed unit): 20-40 lbs @ $0.15-$0.25/lb = $3 – $10
- Aluminum (if present): 1-3 lbs @ $0.30-$0.60/lb = $0.30 – $1.80
- Total for dismantled: Roughly $12 – $41.
As you can see, even with dismantling and sorting, the total fridge scrap value isn’t huge. The value of the steel is low, even though there’s a lot of it. The copper adds the most value per pound, but there isn’t much copper in a fridge.
Taking it apart might double or triple the payout compared to a whole unit, but it requires significant effort and time. For many people, the effort isn’t worth the extra $10-$20. However, if you are already comfortable taking things apart and have the tools, it can be a good way to get the most from the appliance scrap metal prices.
Fathoming the Environmental Benefits
Making money is one reason to scrap a fridge. Helping the environment is another big one.
When you recycling old fridge for cash, you prevent it from going to a landfill.
* Metals are melted down and used to make new products. This saves energy compared to making metal from raw materials.
* Harmful chemicals (coolant, oil) are removed and handled properly by professionals. This keeps them out of the air, soil, and water.
* Plastic and other materials might also be recycled if the scrap yard or a separate facility handles them.
Recycling is a key part of being responsible with old appliances. The small amount of money you get helps cover the time and cost of getting the fridge to a place where it can be recycled properly.
Weighing the Effort vs. Reward
Thinking about how to scrap a refrigerator for money means thinking about the work involved versus the money you’ll get back.
- Selling whole: Easiest. Less money ($10-$25). Need to get coolant removed and transport it.
- Selling dismantled: Harder. More work taking it apart and sorting ($12-$41). Need tools, knowledge, time, and still need coolant removed first.
If you only have one fridge, taking it apart might not feel worth it. But if you have several appliances, or if you just enjoy taking things apart, sorting can add up.
Remember that the value you get is affected by:
* Your fridge’s size and weight (scrap refrigerator weight).
* How much copper and aluminum it has (affects value of fridge compressor scrap, copper tubing scrap value).
* The current prices for metals (scrap steel price per pound, appliance scrap metal prices, current scrap metal prices for appliances).
* The prices paid at your local scrap yard appliance prices.
Conclusion
Getting money for an old fridge is possible, but don’t expect to get rich. The fridge scrap value is mainly in the steel, copper, and aluminum parts. While steel is the heaviest, copper and the copper in the compressor are the most valuable per pound.
You can sell a fridge whole to a scrap yard after the coolant is professionally removed, but the payout will be low. Taking it apart and sorting the metals yourself can increase the amount you get, but it takes significant time, effort, tools, and safety precautions.
The decision to sell whole or dismantle depends on your comfort level with tools, your time, and how much you value the extra few dollars you might get from sorting. No matter what, recycling your old fridge is the right thing to do for the environment, ensuring that metals are reused and harmful chemicals are handled safely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I just take my fridge to any scrap yard?
A: No, not all scrap yards accept whole appliances. Some might only take them if the coolant is already removed. It’s best to call ahead and ask about their policy and scrap yard appliance prices.
Q: Is it safe to remove the coolant myself?
A: Absolutely not. Refrigerant coolant is under pressure and contains harmful chemicals. Releasing it into the air is illegal in many places and bad for the environment. You must have a certified technician remove it safely.
Q: How much copper is usually in a fridge compressor?
A: The amount varies by size and model, but typically a residential fridge compressor contains between 1 to 3 pounds of copper wire inside the motor windings.
Q: What happens to the plastic parts of the fridge?
A: Most scrap yards focus on metal. Plastic parts like shelves, door liners, and drawers often have to be removed by you and disposed of separately. Some municipal recycling programs might accept certain types of plastic, or they might end up in the trash.
Q: Do I need to drain the oil from the compressor?
A: If you sell the whole compressor as a “sealed unit” or “motor scrap,” the scrap yard usually handles the oil. If you plan to cut the compressor open to get the copper out yourself, you will need to drain the oil first and dispose of it properly, which can be messy and requires a suitable container. Many scrappers find it easier to sell the whole compressor.
Q: How can I find out the current prices for metal?
A: Current scrap metal prices for appliances can be checked on websites that track national or regional scrap metal markets. However, the most accurate way is to call the specific scrap yards you plan to visit, as their prices can differ based on their location and needs. Ask for prices on light iron, bare bright copper, insulated copper wire, aluminum, and sealed units.
Q: Is it better to sell one fridge or wait until I have several appliances?
A: The price per pound doesn’t usually change if you bring more weight (unless you have tons). The main benefit of waiting is saving on trips to the scrap yard. If you plan to dismantle, doing several at once can make the effort feel more worthwhile.