Stainless steel looks like regular steel, is everywhere in kitchens and appliances, but pays significantly more per pound as scrap. Here's what stainless steel is worth in Toronto in 2026, how to identify it, and where to find it.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices — Toronto 2026
- 304 Stainless (most common) — $0.35–$0.55/lb: Standard grade in kitchen appliances, sinks, cookware, and medical equipment
- 316 Stainless — $0.45–$0.70/lb: Higher nickel content, marine and industrial use; pays more due to molybdenum content
- 430 Stainless (magnetic) — $0.20–$0.35/lb: Lower nickel, used in cheaper appliances and automotive trim
- Mixed/unknown stainless — $0.20–$0.40/lb: Default range when grade can't be confirmed
Compare to regular steel scrap at $0.04–$0.08/lb — stainless is worth 5–10x more per pound.
The Magnet Test: Identifying Stainless Steel
- 304 stainless — weakly magnetic or non-magnetic. A magnet barely sticks or doesn't stick at all.
- 316 stainless — similarly non-magnetic or very weakly magnetic.
- 430 stainless — strongly magnetic, like regular steel.
- Regular carbon steel — strongly magnetic.
If a magnet sticks firmly, you have 430 stainless or regular steel (less valuable). If it barely sticks or doesn't, you likely have 304/316 (more valuable). Works for the vast majority of residential and commercial scrap.
Got Stainless Appliances or Equipment to Clear Out?
Old stainless fridges, sinks, commercial kitchen equipment — book a free pickup and we'll haul it away.
Book Free Pickup →Where Stainless Steel Shows Up
Residential
- Kitchen sinks (undermount and drop-in)
- Appliances — fridges, dishwashers, ranges (exterior panels)
- Cookware, exhaust hoods, laundry tub inserts
Commercial / Industrial
- Restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment — prep tables, shelving, sinks
- Medical and dental equipment
- Brewery and food processing tanks
- Automotive exhaust systems (mufflers, catalytic converter housings)
Maximizing Stainless Scrap Value
Separate from regular steel. Mixing stainless with steel gets you the lower price on the whole load. Sort before selling.
Know your grade. If you have 304, ask for the 304 price — don't let them default to "mixed stainless."
Remove non-stainless components. A stainless sink with a steel mounting bracket gets downgraded. Remove the bracket first.
Scale matters. For a single fridge, separating stainless panels from the frame isn't worth disassembling. For a commercial kitchen cleanout with 10+ items, the premium is significant.
Summary
Stainless steel pays $0.20–$0.55/lb in Toronto in 2026, versus $0.04–$0.08/lb for regular steel. The magnet test is your quickest grade identifier. Separate from regular steel and know your alloy to maximize what you get.
Mixed Load With Stainless in It?
We take mixed loads — stainless, steel, aluminum, appliances. Book a free pickup and skip the sorting.
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