Anything valuable in washers/ dryers?

So I have a washer and dryer I'm bringing to the scrapyard tomorrow and I was just wondering if there's anything valuable in them like brass, aluminum, copper, etc. I also heard there were circuit boards in some of them. Is this true?

I've wondered the same. I would at least remove the cord and motor. I think the drums are stainless.

I was thinking that too

I have taken apart a few washers and 1 dryer. There are insulated copper wires inside that add up. Coming in at the plug entrance and down to the motor. Should have wires going to different dials on the machines. For the dryer, check the trap, may find change or other items that might be valuable. The washer should have a few brass fittings in it maybe the dryer to around dials. The dryer I had was apparently steel. Magnet stuck to the one I had.

Tore apart my first dryer yesterday. Pulled the wire and motor. Drum is steel - painted. I looked inside my home dryer and it's stainless. When it gives up I am definitely tearing that one apart. The faceplate is aluminum so I pulled that, but it's so light it will take a lot to make any weight.

Also pulled the heating elements. A magnet wouldn't stick but I don't know what it is.

Generally all I do with washers and dryers is remove the wiring harness (insulated copper), and if it is not too difficult, the electric motor. Most everything after that is not really worth messing with. One thing to also watch out for is quite often in dryers you can find change in the bottom of the dryer. I have found as much as $17 and one heavy silver chain in one dryer. My last dryer I processed weekend before last gave up just short of $2 in change. Also watch out for brass fittings in gas dryers.

Tore apart another dryer. Found a black thong jammed in the blower housing, and 57 cents. The lady did say the drum quit turning. I am guessing this is why. Should I see if she wants her panties back? haha.

Always good to use pliers to remove thongs who knows hwere they have been lol

$.78 in change in the one I found today no thong!!

lol. If I come across anything again, I'll try to remember to include a warning.

Anyone know if the stuff attached to the control panel is worth keeping separate? For now I've been pulling the wires and letting the panel go, but there's some weight to it and haven't investigated what all is in there.

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Anyone know if the stuff attached to the control panel is worth keeping separate? For now I've been pulling the wires and letting the panel go, but there's some weight to it and haven't investigated what all is in there.

I personally cannot think of anything other than the sheet metal it is attached to. Normally it is aluminum, so I will remove it, pull the outside knobs off and the circuitry inside, then I have my sheet aluminum. I naturally do the magnet test before doing this.

I pulled apart a dryer yesterday found a $20 Bill and about $16 in change. I was wondering.......has anyone contacted laundromats? What happened?

so far i have scrapped two dryers and not found one thing..

some have aluminum pieces.. check with your magnet. The piece you will get weighs nothing though.. do it if you are in no rush. if time is important, its not worth it..

Originally Posted by azscrapper

so far i have scrapped two dryers and not found one thing..

I'll send you the "Laquiesha" necklace if it'll help.

There are at least 2 spots where I found change inside the dryer I did.
On the bottom of the dryer- along the outside edges, and also in the duct right above the fan blades.

Well at least the thong should have already been through the washer, that would be some consolation ROFL