Work order
required before any large item goes out; furniture is free
Fee items
refrigerant appliances, motor appliances, microwaves, and tires carry a recycling fee
3
Streets Division drop-off sites; electronics are free there in 2026 with proof of residency
Every route for a grill in Madison, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Madison guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Madison, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Madison large item collection by work order: grills
Work order plus a feeThe grill is a free large item by work order. The propane tank goes to Dane County Clean Sweep or an exchange.
Who qualifies: Homes with Streets Division collection (properties of 8 units or fewer). Since January 2025, larger properties have no curbside large item service and use their private hauler, though all residents can use the drop-off sites.
How to schedule: Complete a large item work order at cityofmadison.com/LargeItemWorkOrder before setting anything out, choosing a set-out date. Furniture and most bulky items are free; refrigerant appliances, motor appliances, and a short list of special items carry a recycling fee paid when you schedule. Collection happens during the work week after your set-out date.
Limits: Only items listed on the work order are collected. Fee items are a defined short list; everything else is free.
Set-out: On the terrace or road edge along the public street on the date you picked, not early, not on carriage lanes or private drives. Collection follows sometime that week.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Madison: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering grills, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Madison: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Madison, Wisconsin runs a carefully structured large item pickup system: you choose a Sunday set-out date via an online work order, and city crews collect the items during the following work week. Metal items (appliances) and non-metal items (furniture) are collected by separate crews, keep them separated. Fees apply for appliances with refrigerants ($35) or motors ($15). Madison also has three drop-off sites open April through December for residents who prefer to self-haul. This guide covers every option for City of Madison residents (properties with 9+ units use private dumpster service, not city collection).
The Madison rule for grills: The grill is a free large item by work order. The propane tank goes to Dane County Clean Sweep or an exchange.
Program basics: Only items listed on the work order are collected. Fee items are a defined short list; everything else is free. On the terrace or road edge along the public street on the date you picked, not early, not on carriage lanes or private drives. Collection follows sometime that week.
What the city will not take: Electronics (TVs, computers, printers) are never collected curbside under Wisconsin law; they are free at the drop-off sites in 2026. Construction debris and hazardous waste are not large items.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Madison Streets Division: Large items and appliances, City of Madison Streets Division: Large Item Collection guidelines flyer, City of Madison Streets Division: 2026 drop-off site hours and locations. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why grills are different from ordinary bulk. The propane tank is the entire problem. Even an 'empty' 20-pound tank holds residual gas under pressure and can rupture in a compactor. Trash and bulk crews are trained to refuse grills with tanks attached, and a tank left on the grill is the main reason grills get skipped.
Three mistakes that get grills left at the curb:
Paid options are mostly for built-in grills and heavy ceramic kamado cookers.
Self-haul to a scrap yard or transfer station
Free to $20A cart grill fits in an SUV with the lid off and legs folded. Scrap yards take it free; transfer stations charge a small bulky fee. Take the tank to a separate drop-off.
Ceramic kamado grills have no scrap value and go to a transfer station; the steel bands and cart are scrap.
LoadUp paid grill pickup
$80+For Madison households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Madison area.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your grill. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book grill pickup in Madison with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Madison proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Madison junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national grill disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Madison: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Madison pick up grills for free?
The grill with a work order. The tank to Clean Sweep or an exchange.
How much does paid grill removal cost in Madison?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single grill pickup in Madison starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Madison households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Madison area.
Can I put a gas grill out with bulk trash?
Yes in most cities, once the propane tank is removed. Some cities also ask for the grill to be clean of grease. Check your city’s rule in the directory below.
What do I do with the propane tank?
Take it to a tank exchange cage (trade for a full one), a propane dealer or hardware store that accepts old tanks, or a household hazardous waste facility. Never put it in the trash or at the curb, even if it feels empty.
Will a scrap yard take a grill?
Yes, free, and stainless grills often pay. The tank must be off; most yards refuse tanks unless the valve has been removed, and many refuse them entirely.
Can I donate a used grill?
Working gas grills that are cleaned are accepted by some ReStores and move instantly on free listings in spring and summer. Thrift stores generally do not accept grills. Include the regulator and hose, not the tank.
Is this Madison page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Madison guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
