The invention relates to a method for comminuting refrigeration appliances (12), in which the refrigeration appliances (12) are introduced into the comminution chamber (16) through a supply opening (14) of a comminution chamber (16), are continuously comminuted in the comminution chamber (16), and comminuted refrigeration appliance material (24) is discharged from the comminution chamber (16) through a discharge opening (26) of the comminution chamber (16), the comminution chamber (16) is flushed with air in that, per time unit, a predetermined volume (L1) of the air which is present in the comminution chamber (16) and which is enriched with process gases which occur during comminution of the refrigeration appliances (12) is supplied to the gas processing means (34) through a gas conveying line (32) which is connected in a gas conveying manner to the discharge opening (26) and a gas processing means (34), and a volume of air (L4) corresponding to that predetermined volume (L1) is supplied to the comminution chamber (16) through the supply opening (14).