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Commercial kitchen strip-outs: what the metal is worth

A commercial kitchen is a room made almost entirely of metal. Worth a call before the demolition quote gets signed.

AA Copper Recycling, Holden Hill · · 4 min read

Of all the strip-out jobs, commercial kitchens have the highest metal content by a distance. Benches, shelving, splashbacks, sinks, canopies and appliances are nearly all steel or stainless.

It is also the job where people most often pay for a bin to take away something that had a value.

What is in there

  • Stainless benches and shelving. The bulk of it, and the best source of scrap stainless there is.
  • Splashbacks and wall cladding.
  • Sinks and troughs.
  • Extraction canopies and ducting. Often large stainless items, plus a fan motor.
  • Cool room panels. Metal skinned, though the insulation core affects what we can do with them. Ring about these.
  • Refrigeration units. Compressors and copper, once degassed.
  • Ovens, fryers, cooktops and bain maries. Steel and stainless with elements and motors.
  • Copper gas and water pipework behind it all.
  • Brass gas fittings and taps.

What is worth separating

The demo crew will not do this unless you ask, and it makes a real difference:

  1. Stainless kept separate from plain steel.
  2. Copper pipework kept separate from both.
  3. Brass fittings in their own bucket.
  4. Motors, compressors and fan units in one place.
  5. Plain steel framing and brackets as the general pile.

Timing and access

Kitchen strip-outs usually happen fast and often overnight or between trading periods. The practical questions are when the metal is accessible and whether a truck can get to it.

Tell us the timeframe when you ring. On a tight turnaround it is better to collect in stages than to have it all sitting in the way on the last day.

Refrigeration

Anything with a compressor needs degassing by a licensed technician before it can be collected. On a commercial job that is usually part of the decommissioning, but it is worth confirming rather than assuming, because it is the thing that holds up a pickup.

Who this is for

Shopfitters, commercial builders, pub and restaurant groups refurbishing, and anyone taking over a site and gutting it. If you do these regularly, a standing arrangement makes more sense than ringing each time.

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Common questions

Is a commercial kitchen strip-out worth scrapping?

Yes, it is the highest metal content of any common strip-out. Benches, shelving, canopies and sinks are mostly stainless, plus copper pipework, brass fittings and refrigeration compressors.

Should I tell my demolition contractor about scrap value?

Yes, and before the quote is signed. Demolition is usually priced assuming everything goes to the tip at a cost, so separating the metal changes both the quote and the bin size.

Do cool room panels have scrap value?

The metal skins do, but the insulation core affects how they can be handled. Ring about these specifically rather than assuming either way.

Does commercial refrigeration need degassing?

Yes, by a licensed technician, and it is usually part of decommissioning. Worth confirming rather than assuming, because it is the thing that most often holds up a collection.

Gutting a commercial site?

Ring before the demo quote is signed. We will tell you what the metal is worth and work around your timeframe.

Call 0435 805 124