Disposing of old fridge

My County Government will accept all appliances for recycling at no cost.

I would strongly suggest you offer any good parts for sale or even free if you have any. Our Norcold is 17 yrs old and the only thing that could use help is the door seals. You cannot replace them, but need to buy new doors. We are getting doors that have good seals from someone who is replacing their non-functioning Norcold. The trim panels are interchangable. This will save us several hundred dollars. There is also shelving, glass pieces, bins, circuit boards, thermistors etc that people can use.

Take it to the metal recycling center,,or call someone who does this..

When we bought our residential fridge at Lowes, the fellows that delivered it were fine with loading up the old fridge and taking it away. I think they were just happy that it was already sitting outside. ;)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
The issue is IF cooling unit is 'intact'....ie: no leaks/still pressurized with hydrogen and ammonia (300 + PSI)

20+ years ago I needed to get rid of a RV fridge and didn't want to pay the local authorities $30 to do so.
I decided to remove the cooling unit and cut it up in little pieces for recycling. Then I could put the "box" in the garbage like a common cooler.
First couple of cuts went OK and then I cut into a high pressure line. It sounded like a gunshot and sprayed me with ammonia. I got a lung full and as my vision started going down to a tunnel, I had presence of mind enough (finally) to stumble out of the garage and get fresh air. I'll never forget the sight of that bright green ooze running down my driveway.
The ammonia was burning my leg and I could feel it burning the edges of my lips, ears, etc.
That ammonia is STRONG!\

Sometimes I look back and I wonder how I made it to this age.

My city won't pick anything up for free.

But, local utility company will pick it up and even pay you a little - at least, for 120V fridge. You have to call them before taking it to curb. Not sure about RV ammonia fridge.

Local CL is full of metal recyclers that will be HAPPY to pick up anything metal for free, thanks to people-rich and resource-poor China.

Thanks all,,,great suggestions.

I will check with a dealer and see what they do.

It does work, albeit frustratingly, so when the time comes maybe CL is a good route.

Thanks again.

The issue is IF cooling unit is 'intact'....ie: no leaks/still pressurized with hydrogen and ammonia (300 + PSI)

IF it leaked then the ammonia vapor & hydrogen gas have escaped and all that is left is water, sodium chromate (anti-rust inhibitor)& a weak ammonia solution

The sodium chromate and weak ammonia solutions are the issues for disposal

I just placed mine down on the curb. City came by and picked it up.

Craigslist.

Even if it is not working you can offer it on CL, someone may be looking for other parts on your fridge that are good.

Things like control boards, door hinges, door seals, compartment parts which often break and either are expensive or not available at all may have some value to someone.

I have seen "working" RV fridges offered on CL for as much as $500, someone is bound to be dumb enough to pay for a used "working" RV fridge.. Lots of die hard RV fridge fans on this forum would be glad to find a used working pull (just don't "advertise" it on this forum which would be against the rules)..

Barring CL and if all else fails, call your local garbage hauler and ask if they take RV fridges, some may for an additional small fee.