Should I drain a cylinder before collection?

Yes. Drain all water and let it dry where possible. Water adds dead weight that is deducted, and dry loads are quicker to handle.

Is a copper tank worth the same as a cylinder?

Similar bracket, but tanks vary more — cold water tanks are often thinner copper with more fittings. Each is assessed on what is presented.

Do you collect cylinders across West Yorkshire?

Yes. Cylinders, tanks and boilers are collected from homes and trades in Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Huddersfield and surrounding areas.

Home / Blog / Copper Cylinder Value

How Much Is a Copper Cylinder Worth as Scrap?

Cylinders hold real copper — but jackets, fittings and water decide what you actually get. Here is how they are graded.

26 September 2026 · By OJ Metal Recycling

The Short Answer

Worth Good Money — Graded as a Cylinder, Not Tube

A copper hot water cylinder is one of the best single domestic items you can scrap: a big shell of copper in one lift. But it is not graded as clean copper tube. Foam jackets, outer casings, brass fittings, immersion heaters and sludge all come off the value — a cylinder still wearing its jacket is a very different load from a stripped shell.

Prices move daily, so check our guide prices or call 07793 020266 with photos, and we will tell you where your cylinder lands.

Get More For It

Three Things That Decide Cylinder Value

Drain it fully

Water is dead weight and gets deducted. Drain completely and let it dry — a dry cylinder is also far pleasanter to carry downstairs.

Strip the jacket

Foam insulation, outer casings and cladding hide the copper and slow grading. Remove what comes off easily; leave anything bonded.

Save the brass separately

Immersion heaters, valves and fittings are often brass — bag them apart. Brass has its own value; see our brass guide.

FAQs

Cylinder FAQs

How much is a copper cylinder worth as scrap?

Size, copper content, insulation and fittings all matter. Cylinders are graded individually — send photos and your postcode for an assessment.

Should I drain it before collection?

Yes — drain fully and let it dry. Water adds deducted dead weight.

Is a tank worth the same as a cylinder?

Similar bracket, but cold water tanks vary more in thickness and fittings. Each is assessed on what is presented.

Do you collect boilers too?

Yes — domestic boilers, cylinders and tanks are regularly collected across Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Huddersfield.

Keep Reading

What Is 98 Copper?Merchant grades explained.

Scrap Copper GuideCopper types and recycling value.

All Blog ArticlesTips, prices and collection advice.

Got a Cylinder to Shift?

Send photos and your postcode — we will grade it and arrange collection.

Request a Collection Call 07793 020266

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