Results 1 to 16 of 16

approximate value of a scrap refrigerator

| Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
  1. #1
    Tcgs started this thread.
    Tcgs's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 62 Times in 26 Posts

    approximate value of a scrap refrigerator

    I have been wondering if anyone has an approximate value of a scrap refrigerator. Assuming if you get steel, copper motor, freon, wire, radiator, and anything else? Total average?



  2. #2
    Tcgs started this thread.
    Tcgs's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 62 Times in 26 Posts
    $15 is my guess

  3. #3
    bigdog72's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    honey brook PA
    Posts
    274
    Thanks
    14
    Thanked 137 Times in 68 Posts
    my yard charges to take them, i have yet to find someone to remove Freon for me

  4. #4
    KzScrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Denver Metro, CO
    Posts
    4,841
    Thanks
    7,019
    Thanked 5,792 Times in 2,417 Posts
    15-20 bucks depending on the persons shred price. I'd say most weigh at least 150 pounds so if you are close to the .10# mark you are going to hit $15 before breaking it down further.
    Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
    Certified Zip-Tie Mechanic
    "Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."

  5. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Space Coast of Florida
    Posts
    34
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 20 Times in 14 Posts
    Just got 18 dollars for one without the compressor or wire. Was a two door with ice makernand water dispenser in the door.

  6. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    When I'm out bidding on refrigerators, I figure 225 pounds of scrap, 20 pound compressor, 1.5 pound aluminum radiator, 1 pound of copper and a pound of insulated wire. I don't factor in refrigerant as is usually is 134A which has basicly no value. Those numbers are based on a mix of side by side and top mount refrigerators.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to freonjoe for This Post:


  8. #7
    Phantoms001's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    556
    Thanks
    167
    Thanked 529 Times in 243 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by freonjoe View Post
    When I'm out bidding on refrigerators, I figure 225 pounds of scrap, 20 pound compressor, 1.5 pound aluminum radiator, 1 pound of copper and a pound of insulated wire. I don't factor in refrigerant as is usually is 134A which has basicly no value. Those numbers are based on a mix of side by side and top mount refrigerators.
    I think it also depends on if you cut open the compressors, the best way to really find out is to scrap a few, but I personally think they are a little more in the 30.00 range on average (but I cut open compressors).

  9. #8
    Russell's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Chicago,Il
    Posts
    815
    Thanks
    495
    Thanked 707 Times in 324 Posts
    depends on the size

    $20 bucks is a nice round number, overall for a unit.

    I do a lot of apartment size units that only weigh about 125 lbs I always pull wiring but cant always pull the compressors. I avg around 15$ on the size that I typically do. I have a nice load this week of around 16 fridges with other stoves dishwashers and built in microwaves.

    Fridges take up a ton of room for what you get out of em. Make sure you stuff them full of smaller stuff. You can get some incredible loads, when you have a bunch of loaded fridges I do like em overall. Id rather handle one thing weighing over a hundred pounds than handling 5 things weighing 20 lbs.
    Last edited by Russell; 04-07-2013 at 06:19 PM.

  10. #9
    Tcgs started this thread.
    Tcgs's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 62 Times in 26 Posts
    Well, I have a handfull in my inventor, Ill put them on the scale after doing and breaking down and give you the weights. Then you can determine your own rates.

  11. #10
    ggariepy's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Southeast Michigan
    Posts
    157
    Thanks
    87
    Thanked 114 Times in 58 Posts
    The refrigerant disposal keeps me away from them. I called around and could not find anyone willing to extract the refrigerant from one for less than $65. Since I don't get them regularly enough to justify the expense of becoming licensed and purchasing the equipment to do my own extractions, I leave them alone. LOTS of people in my area apparently just cut the line and let the refrigerant leak out, but that $10K fine does not appeal to me in the least!

    I am always going to be a part time scrapper, doing it as a hobby, having fun and making a few bucks. There is just no way I could replace my employment income and insurance with scrapping unless I went all in, took a huge business loan to buy a facility, equipment and hire people. So when you're in that situation you have to accept that there are some things you just can't do, and dealing with charged refrigerators and A/C units is one of those things.

    Hope this helps.

    --Geoff

  12. #11
    Tcgs started this thread.
    Tcgs's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 62 Times in 26 Posts
    I was able to replace my income with scrap. Have recovery machine. 608 cert .
    GREENTRUCK
    "CHANGING THE WAY YOU LOOK AT RECYCLING"

  13. #12
    Tcgs started this thread.
    Tcgs's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    181
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked 62 Times in 26 Posts
    I will do a test to determine the weights and values of appliances like refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, and any other item. Lets put my scales to the test.

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Tcgs for This Post:


  15. #13
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Apr 2013
    Location
    easton, ct
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    The copper in the compressor will add another $8-10 or so if you cut the top on that and scrap the copper.

  16. #14
    Russell's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Chicago,Il
    Posts
    815
    Thanks
    495
    Thanked 707 Times in 324 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by freonjoe View Post
    When I'm out bidding on refrigerators, I figure 225 pounds of scrap, 20 pound compressor, 1.5 pound aluminum radiator, 1 pound of copper and a pound of insulated wire. I don't factor in refrigerant as is usually is 134A which has basicly no value. Those numbers are based on a mix of side by side and top mount refrigerators.
    You pay for your fridges, Joe?

  17. #15
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    boise, ID
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanks
    469
    Thanked 1,462 Times in 668 Posts
    Russell, I will as long as it's a steady supply. I have one customer that kicks out 1 to 2 trailer loads a week so I kick them back 4 bucks a unit.

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to freonjoe for This Post:


  19. #16
    Russell's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Chicago,Il
    Posts
    815
    Thanks
    495
    Thanked 707 Times in 324 Posts
    I assumed you did, based on volume, Joe. Just wanted to confirm. I have a nice account that produces a lot of appliances but inconsistently. I don't pay for them. Id like to obtain more accounts. There is a small mom and pop appliance store within walking distance of my house, that I've been eyeballing. I've seen old beat up trucks lugging out old appliances through the back. Just brainstorming ideas on how to approach them. I couldn't see paying more than 5$ a unit and making it worth while.


  20. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. how to scrap a refrigerator?
      By DropYoTop in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 21
      Last Post: 06-11-2020, 07:26 AM
    2. Replies: 12
      Last Post: 05-27-2011, 08:22 PM
    3. Need help with my refrigerator
      By Motörhead in forum Off Topic Discussions
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 05-20-2011, 09:07 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 4 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 4 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook