Appliance Removal
Old washer, dryer, stove, or dishwasher in the way? Zoiris hauls away disconnected appliances from homes and businesses in Mobile, AL. Fridges: call first.
Quick answer
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator in Mobile, AL?
Contact us with the fridge's type, rough size, and where it sits. We confirm the unit and an estimate before scheduling. Before pickup day, empty it, unplug it to defrost, wipe it dry, and tape the doors shut. Our crew carries it out intact and hauls it away.
What refrigerator removal includes
Refrigerators are heavy, awkward, and easy to damage on the way out. Here is what we handle:
- Moving the unit out from a kitchen, utility room, garage, or porch, keeping it upright where practical.
- Protecting the cooling system: no cutting of tubing, no draining, and no venting of refrigerant.
- Loading the refrigerator whole so it reaches its next stop intact.
- Routing the unit to an outlet that handles refrigerant-containing appliances, confirmed before we schedule.
Refrigerators and freezers we pick up
Each one is confirmed before scheduling. Describe yours when you call:
| Item | Status | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerators & freezers | Call to confirm | These contain refrigerant, so we confirm handling before scheduling. Empty and defrost first. |
Who this is for
Most calls come from homeowners replacing a kitchen refrigerator when the delivery company will not take the old one, and from people retiring a garage fridge or chest freezer that has finally given out.
Landlords and property managers use the service during unit turnovers, and families clearing a home often have a second fridge or freezer to deal with. If the refrigerator is one of several appliances going, see appliance removal.
How refrigerator pickup works
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Describe the unit
Tell us the type (side-by-side, chest freezer, mini fridge), rough size, whether it still holds refrigerant or has been damaged, and the path out: steps, doorway widths, and tight turns.
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We confirm handling
Because the unit contains refrigerant, we confirm it and its handling before giving you an estimate and a pickup window.
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Prep a day ahead
Empty the fridge, unplug it so the freezer can fully defrost, wipe out the water, and tape the doors closed.
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Careful removal
Our crew moves the refrigerator out intact and loads it without opening or damaging the sealed cooling system.
Refrigerant rules, in plain terms
Refrigerators and freezers hold refrigerant in a sealed system. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, EPA prohibits intentionally venting refrigerants while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment (EPA: Section 608 (opens in a new tab)).
Household refrigerators and freezers usually enter the waste stream with their refrigerant still inside. For these appliances, EPA's safe disposal rules make the final person in the disposal chain — such as a scrap metal recycler or landfill — responsible for ensuring the refrigerant is recovered before final disposal, and the recovery equipment used must meet EPA's standards (EPA: Stationary Refrigeration Safe Disposal Requirements (opens in a new tab)).
- What that means for our crew: we keep the sealed system intact. We never cut lines, puncture tubing, or release refrigerant.
- What it means for you: do not try to drain or cut anything yourself, and tell us if the unit has already been damaged or partly taken apart.
- Why we confirm first: so each unit goes to an outlet that handles refrigerant-containing appliances.
Refrigerators and City of Mobile trash pickup
The City of Mobile's trash collection rules say the City will not pick up refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and similar items that contain hazardous material such as Freon, and appliances should not be placed on a regular trash pile (City of Mobile Trash Collection Rules (opens in a new tab)). If you are replacing a fridge, check whether the retailer delivering the new one offers haul-away; if not, a private pickup is an option.
What affects the cost of refrigerator removal
We quote each refrigerator individually. The main factors are:
- Size and type — a French-door or side-by-side unit is heavier than a mini fridge
- Access: steps, narrow doorways, tight kitchen layouts, or a long carry from the garage
- Handling requirements for refrigerant-containing appliances
- Whether other appliances or junk are picked up in the same visit
How to prepare a refrigerator for pickup
- Remove all food and drinks — spoiled food cannot go in the load.
- Unplug the unit at least a day before pickup so the freezer and ice maker fully defrost.
- Mop up meltwater, empty the drip pan if you can reach it, and wipe the inside dry.
- Shut off the water valve and disconnect the ice-maker or dispenser line, or have a plumber do it.
- Take out loose glass shelves and drawers, or secure them so they do not slide.
- Tape the doors shut and coil the power cord to the back of the unit.
Good to know
A few situations need a conversation before we schedule:
- Every refrigerator and freezer is accepted after confirmation, not automatically.
- Our crew does not recover, drain, or vent refrigerant, and does not cut refrigerant lines or take appliances apart.
- Walk-in coolers, built-in commercial refrigeration, and systems that must be dismantled on site are not part of this service.
- Units still full of spoiled food or standing water need to be emptied and dried before pickup.
- Refrigerators still plumbed to a water line need to be disconnected first.
Where this service is available
Refrigerator and freezer removal is available throughout the City of Mobile, after confirmation. If your address is outside Mobile city limits, call us to confirm before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do you drain the refrigerant before taking the fridge?
No. Our crew does not recover, drain, or vent refrigerant, and never cuts refrigerant lines. We move the refrigerator out intact, and it goes to an outlet that handles refrigerant-containing appliances, which is why each unit is confirmed before scheduling.
Why do you need to confirm a refrigerator first?
Refrigerators contain refrigerant, and federal rules require it to be recovered before the appliance reaches final disposal. Confirming the unit ahead of time lets us make sure its handling is lined up before we book the pickup.
Will the City of Mobile pick up my old refrigerator?
According to the City's trash collection rules, the City will not pick up refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners that contain Freon, and appliances should not go on a regular trash pile. A retailer haul-away or a private pickup are the usual alternatives.
How far ahead should I defrost the refrigerator?
Unplug it at least a day before pickup so the freezer and ice maker fully melt. Leave the doors open with towels underneath, then wipe it dry and tape the doors closed before we arrive.
Do you take chest freezers and mini fridges?
Yes, after confirmation, just like full-size refrigerators. Chest freezers should be emptied, defrosted, and dried, with the lid taped shut. Mini fridges are often added to a larger pickup.
Can you take a fridge that's still connected to a water line?
Please have the water line shut off and disconnected before pickup day, by you or a plumber. Our crew does not disconnect plumbing.
What if the refrigerator smells or still has food inside?
Empty all food first and clean out anything spoiled — we cannot haul food waste. A wipe-down with the doors propped open for a day helps with odors before pickup.