How to dispose of a refrigerator

Why fridges are different

Refrigerators and freezers use refrigerant that has to be recovered by certified people before the metal is recycled. That is why most facilities charge more for a fridge than for a washer or stove, and why you should never cut lines or try to drain it yourself.

Prep steps

1. Empty it. Throw out food and remove shelves and drawers if they are loose.
2. Unplug and defrost. Give it a day with the doors open and towels down.
3. Disconnect the water line. If it has an ice maker, shut off the valve and disconnect the line, or have a plumber do it.
4. Tape the doors shut for the move.
5. Clear the route from the kitchen to the door.

Where a fridge can go

• Your town facility. Many accept refrigerant appliances for a fee. Check the rules and hours first.
• The store delivering your new one. Ask at purchase whether they take the old fridge.
• A pickup. We carry it out and handle it the right way.

The hard part is the lift

A full-size fridge can be well over 200 pounds and awkward on stairs. Moving one takes two people, an appliance dolly and some care with door frames and floors. That is usually what makes people book a pickup.

Posted prices

Every job starts from the same posted price card. A single item is $64. A small job, up to about 1.5 cubic yards, is $119. A medium job, about 3 cubic yards or roughly a room, is $189. A large job, about 5 cubic yards or roughly a garage bay, is $239. An extra-large job, about 10 cubic yards, is $479, and anything past 10 cubic yards is $45 per yard. A mattress or box spring is $64 alone or $20 each on a job. A washer, dryer, stove or dishwasher is $69 alone and free on a job. A fridge, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier is $99 alone or $35 on a job. A TV or monitor is a $15 add-on. Construction debris is the job price plus 20%. Estate cleanouts start at $499 and hoarding cleanouts at $599. The full list is on the pricing page.

Mini fridges, freezers and wine coolers

Smaller units still contain refrigerant and are priced the same way: $99 alone or $35 on a job.

A fridge with spoiled food

If the power was out or the fridge died while you were away, bag the food and put it out with your regular trash first. Leave the doors open to air it out. An empty fridge is easier and safer to move.

Selling a working fridge

A clean, working fridge often sells or goes free quickly through local listings, and the buyer does the lifting. If it does not move in a week, book the pickup.

Garage and basement fridges

Second fridges in the garage or basement are often older and less efficient. If yours is mostly holding drinks, removing it can be worth it. Add it to a garage or basement cleanout for $35.

How booking works

Send photos through the quote form or text them to (207) 333-1422. No card is needed to ask. Caden looks at the photos and sends your price. If it works for you, you pay from the link he sends and that confirms the slot. The price we send is the price you pay unless the pile changes. If you add things after the price goes out, the price is updated before work starts, not after.

Related: fridge removal in Lewiston and Auburn, appliance and refrigerant removal, how to dispose of a freezer

If you want it handled for you, start with our appliance removal page. Related reading: How to dispose of a mini fridge.