Abstract: A portable refrigerant recovery unit including a compressor, a condenser and an internal receiver or container for recovering refrigerant from a refrigeration unit or other container. A level measuring device determines the level of liquid refrigerant in the internal container. A control device responds to the level measuring device and disables the compressor when the liquid refrigerant in the internal container reaches a predetermined level. Refrigerant can be temporarily stored within the internal container or passed through the internal container to an external container as refrigerant is being removed from the refrigeration unit.