If you’ve ever hauled a load of metal to a scrap yard, you’ve probably heard someone ask, “Is it ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal?”
It sounds technical. It isn’t. And once you understand it, you’ll have a much better idea of what your metal is worth before you ever pull onto the scale.
Here’s the short version: ferrous metal contains iron. Non-ferrous metal doesn’t. That’s the whole distinction. And you can figure out which one you’re holding with a magnet from your refrigerator door.
The magnet test
Grab any household magnet and touch it to your metal.
If it sticks, you have ferrous metal. Iron and steel are magnetic, so the magnet grabs and holds.
If it doesn’t stick, you have non-ferrous metal. Aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel won’t hold a magnet.
That’s it. No tools, no experience, no guessing. It takes two seconds per item.
One heads-up: some stainless steel gives a weak magnetic pull, and a painted or heavily rusted surface can throw you off. If you get a result that seems odd, try a clean spot on the metal or bring the item in and let us take a look.
Common ferrous metals around the house
Ferrous metal is heavy, common, and usually the bulk of what people bring in by weight:
- Old appliances — washers, dryers, water heaters
- Steel gutters, storm doors, and metal roofing
- Lawn mower decks and grill bodies
- Rebar, pipe, angle iron, and fence posts
- Cast iron cookware, tubs, and radiators
- Car and truck parts
Ferrous metal pays less per pound, but it’s usually the easiest to accumulate in volume. A single old water heater or a trailer of scrap steel adds up.
Common non-ferrous metals
Non-ferrous metal is where the real money is. It’s lighter, less common, and worth significantly more per pound:
- Aluminum — cans, window frames, siding, wheels, engine blocks
- Copper — electrical wire, plumbing pipe, radiators, motor windings
- Brass — faucets, valves, fittings, old door hardware
- Stainless steel — sinks, restaurant equipment, commercial pans
- Lead — old pipe, weights, batteries (handled separately)
If you’re doing a remodel and pulling out copper pipe or old wiring, set it aside. Don’t let it end up in the dumpster with the drywall.
Why the difference matters for your payout
Scrap metal prices are set by grade, not by the pile. When ferrous and non-ferrous metal get mixed together, a yard often has to price the whole load at the lower rate — because sorting it becomes their labor instead of yours.
Twenty minutes of sorting in your driveway can meaningfully change your check. The same goes for cleaning: copper wire with the insulation stripped grades higher than wire with it still on, and an aluminum part with steel bolts still in it may get downgraded.
Two simple habits pay off every time:
- Sort ferrous and non-ferrous into separate piles or containers before you load up.
- Keep the good stuff separate. Copper and brass shouldn’t be buried under a mower deck.
Bring your metal to CFC Recycling
CFC Recycling buys both ferrous and non-ferrous metal at our Middle Tennessee locations, and we’ll tell you exactly how your material grades before you commit. If you’re not sure what you have, bring it in — we’d rather help you identify it than have you leave money on the ground.
Looking for a scrap yard or recycling center near you? We have facilities in Tullahoma, McMinville, and Gallatin, TN. Check our locations page for hours, directions, and current buyback information. Bring a photo ID, and we’ll take care of the rest.