Compared to other major appliances like air conditioners or refrigerators, a dishwasher does not contain a large amount of copper. On average, an old or non-standard dishwasher yields only about 1 to 1.5 lbs (roughly 450 to 700 grams) of copper.
Dishwashers contain valuable materials like copper wires, electric motors, low-grade circuit boards, and steel. Learn how to maximize your profit by dismantling key components or scrapping the whole appliance.
The spot price for raw copper is approximately $6.25 to $6.38 per pound.
Air conditioners and heat pumps contain the most copper of any household appliances. A standard residential unit contains between 4 kg and 23 kg (999 to 50 lbs) of copper, primarily located in the condenser, evaporator coils, and compressor motors.
A standard dishwasher contains roughly 1 to 2 pounds (0.4 to 0.9 kg) of copper.
You can recycle a dishwasher motor for cash, as many scrap yards accept dishwashers for their metal content, particularly the motor and stainless steel parts. "I would take the copper off and have them weigh that separate." "It's worth it depending on how much time you have. "
This trend is driven by the belief that copper's value will continue to rise, making it a profitable asset to hold onto. As a result, large quantities of copper, especially in the form of scrap metal, have been stockpiled, creating shortages in the market.
Three of the Best Places to Look For Scrap Copper
China – Leading the Global Copper Import
Market China has emerged as the world's largest importer of copper, with an import value of $37.2 billion in 2022.
Copper is the leading choice in scrap metal values today. In early 2026, current prices for premium grades have surged well past $4 per pound, making it highly lucrative for waste management operations.
Stripping copper wire for scrap is almost always financially profitable, increasing your payout by 30% to 40%. However, whether it is "worth it" comes down to how much you value your time. It is highly worthwhile for thick, heavy-gauge wire, but a waste of effort for thin or low-grade cables.
Copper reached its all-time high on January 29, 2026, when the 3-month London Metal Exchange (LME) copper price surged to $𝟏𝟒,𝟓𝟐𝟕.𝟓𝟎 per metric ton.
Scrap metal recycling facilities accept dishwashers and often pay for the metal components. These centers will dismantle the appliance and recycle various parts.
Top Electronics with the Most Gold Content
Desktop and Laptop Computers: Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM modules in older computers (especially pre-2000s) contain significant amounts of gold. A typical desktop computer can have up to 0.2 grams of gold, primarily in connectors and circuit boards.
To make $100 from scrap aluminum, you need anywhere from 55 to 200 pounds, depending on your local scrap yard’s payout rate.
How much is a refrigerator worth in scrap? A typical refrigerator weighs 150-250 lbs and contains mostly steel. At current scrap prices, expect $8-20 for the steel alone. However, the compressor contains copper worth $3-8 extra, and if you separate the copper tubing, you can add another $2-5.
Appliances with cooling and heavy motor systems contain the most copper. Air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators generally yield the highest amounts (1 to 5+ pounds per unit) due to their extensive copper tubing, coils, and compressor motors.
Arizona: The Copper State
Arizona rightfully claims its nickname as "The Copper State," dominating U.S. production with an impressive 700 million pounds annually, representing approximately 71% of all domestic copper production.
Analysts expect copper prices to hold near record highs in 2026, driven by a growing structural deficit, mine disruptions, and robust long-term tech demand. While some Wall Street projections forecast a mild cooling from early-year peaks, a new price floor has been established in the $10,000 to $11,000 per metric ton range.
Chile is the world's leading producer of copper, maintaining its top position for many years and producing over 5 million metric tons annually. As of 2025-2026, Chile contributes over 20-27% of global copper output and possesses the world's largest copper reserves.
①John Caruso, Senior Market Strategist at RJO Futures, stated that copper prices are like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode into severe volatility at any moment; ②Caruso pointed out that the likelihood of a sustained structural supply shortage in the copper market is currently very high, with some market forecasts ...