If you are new to scrap metal recycling, you will likely search online to find answers to your questions. There is a lot of useful information on the internet about what you can and cannot scrap and the best ways to scrap different items, but some of what you will find is untrue. To help you discern between what is true and false, we have made a list of some of the most common scrap metal myths with explanations about why they are not true.

Myth #1: Bigger is Always Better

As with most things in life, it is often assumed that bigger is always better when it comes to scrap metal, but that is not always the case. Finding an oversized piece of steel may seem like the ultimate prize, and this can be true, but it can also be false. For many scrap metal recyclers, steel and other metals have to be cut down to certain sizes so that they can safely go through the shredders. If you bring a very large piece of steel to a scrap yard, they may have to prepare it before it can pass through the shredder, meaning they might pay you a lower price than normal shred prices. However, if you have the ability to prepare the steel yourself and cut it down to their standard dimensions before bringing it to the scrap yard, then you will be able to make some good money.

Myth #2: You Can Get a Lot of Money from Precious Metals in Electronics

It is true that electronics such as hard drives and computers contain precious metals like gold and platinum. Older electronics used to contain higher quantities of gold, but the improved technology in today’s computers means they require much smaller amounts of these precious metals. Some people think that they can recover large amounts of gold and platinum by dismantling electronics. You can extract these precious metals from computer equipment, but it will most likely only be a small amount. It just makes sense – when you are only paying around $300 for a computer, you cannot expect to find a lot of precious material inside.

Myth #3: Stainless Steel Is Always Stainless Steel

This scrap metal recycling myth can be heartbreaking. When you are dealing with appliances, things that look like stainless steel are not always actually made from the material. Stainless steel grills and kitchen appliances may only have some parts that are actually made from stainless steel while the rest may just be made to look like it for aesthetic purposes. Stainless steel is a valuable metal, so only your more expensive appliances are likely to actually be made from the material. If you paid less than $1,000 for the appliance, chances are that it does not contain very much stainless steel.

Myth #4: You Can Strip Copper Wire by Burning It

Burning copper wire is the worst way to try to strip it for scrap metal recycling. Not only is burning insulated copper wire illegal in the United States because of the toxic fumes it releases, it also ruins the copper you are trying to sell. High heat causes the insulation to leave a plastic residue on the copper wire, which downgrades the copper and makes it less valuable when you try to sell it to a scrap yard. You will receive less money for the copper and, on top of that, will risk facing a large fine for breaking the law. There are other, safer ways to strip copper wire that will allow the copper to maintain its value.

Myth #5: Scrap Yards Make 2 to 3 Times More Than the Price They Pay You

Some people assume that scrap yards want to rip them off so that they can make a lot of money and keep it all for themselves. This is not true. Most scrap yards want to give scrappers the best price possible for their materials. They pay their customers the current scrap metal prices as updated on the trade market each day. They then make a small profit by selling the large quantities of metal they have accumulated when the market price goes up. This means that scrap metal recyclers make only a small percentage off the scrap metal that passes through their scrap yards.

Scrap Metal Recycling at a Scrap Yard Near Me

Here at Roane Metals Group, we pride ourselves on being experts in the scrap metal recycling industry. We don’t fall victim to the false myths spread across the internet or even by inexperienced scrap yards. Our highly trained staff wants to give you the best scrap metal rates possible, and our honest scales help to maximize your payout. If you have some unwanted scrap metal lying around, let us help you turn that waste into cash. We have two convenient scrap yard locations in Rockwood and Crossville, TN. Bring your scrap metal to one of our locations today or give us a call at 865-354-4282 so we can answer any questions you have about scrap metal recycling.