An 8-metal alloy with a silver luster is used for a range of food service and household display items.You can find a variety of shapes and sizes of nambé pieces, from simple bowls to ornate pieces of art.If you follow the recommended cleaning, polishing, and food service procedures, the piece can be used, displayed and stored for years and still look great.
Step 1: A mantel or table is a good place to display your Nambé.
Some items made from the classic Nambé 8-metal alloy can get a bit pricey, but they don't need to be hidden away in a display cabinet.The majority of the pieces are sturdy enough to be held and used frequently.Visitors will not be able to see your collection if they are not allowed to view it up close.The 8-metal alloy is what people think of when they hear "nambé."The company that makes Nambé has branched out in recent years and now produces a range of products that are not made of the classic silver-toned alloy.You can find the storage and care instructions for these product lines at https://www.nambe.com/static-care-and-use.html.
Step 2: It's a good idea to display your item out of the sun.
Classic Nambé pieces can be displayed inside the home for years or even decades with minimal signs of aging.While not specifically advised for the classic metal alloy pieces, keeping your displayed item out of direct sunlight may prolong its beauty.The line of crystal items should not be displayed in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Step 3: Don't put food or flowers in vases.
The pieces are made for food service.Food should not be kept in a classic piece for more than 3 hours.If you want to display flowers, only use a piece that is specifically designed to be filled with water and used as a vase.The interiors of the vases can be exposed to standing water.If left in place too long, foods, liquids, and/or organic materials can cause discoloration that can be difficult to remove.
Step 4: If possible, put the item in its original box.
At some point, you may want to pack away an item for secure storage or transport because you don't want it to be seen again.The packing material inside the item's original box is the ideal storage vessel.You can use the original packaging again if you keep it in a handy location.If you don't have the original packaging, wrap the item in a soft cloth, then in bubble wrap, and nestle it into a sturdy cardboard box of appropriate size.The original packaging is enough to protect the item during shipping.If you want to make sure the item remains in pristine shape, pack it inside a slightly larger shipping box.
Step 5: You can get rid of dust by wiping it with a soft cloth.
Use your hand towel, buy a polishing cloth, grab a feather duster, or use one of the cleaning pads from a dry-dusting floor cleaner.Any accumulated dust should be taken care of by a few quick wipes.Depending on where you keep it and how you use it, your item may need a quick dusting every few weeks or so.
Step 6: Don't use dusting sprays or wipes on your items.
When it comes to removing dust from a piece, simpler is better.Dusting sprays and wipes can leave a film on an item that dulls its lustrous finish.Dry dusting is enough for items that are on the shelf.It is unlikely that sprays and wipes will damage the finish.
Step 7: Remove smudges with a glass cleaner.
If necessary, dust the item.Then, lightly rub a clean cloth with a spray or two of glass cleaner.If you see smudges or fingerprints on the item, use a circular motion to wipe them away.Do not over-dampen the cloth.As you wipe the item down, you should not see any surface water.
Step 8: All food contact surfaces should be wiped with a thin coat of vegetable oil.
Use a soft cloth to wipe the oil off.You just need to coat the inside of a bowl with a thin coat of oil.The finish can be stained due to food contact.If you serve an acidic food item, such as a salad dressed with a vinaigrette, don't skip this step.
Step 9: If you want to warm the item, chill it in the freezer.
It helps keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold during service with the classic Nambé alloy.If you want to keep the food chilled, put the piece in the freezer for 30 minutes after adding the vegetable oil.If you want to keep the food warm, place the piece in an oven set at 350 F (177C) for 10 minutes after adding the oil.It is possible for the oil to smoke and burn in the oven at a temperature of 500 F.It's never a good idea to heat classic Nambé on the stove or microwave.
Step 10: The food should be served with only wood or silicone utensils.
Hard plastic utensils can be acceptable if they don't have sharp edges, but metal utensils should always be avoided.The risk of scratching the finish on your item is too great.Don't use a serving fork to remove food items from the serving dish, even if it does not have sharp tines.Instead, use serving tongs with wood or soft silicone tips.
Step 11: You have 3 hours to remove served food from your item.
Even with the vegetable oil barrier, acidic food items may stain the surface of your piece after 3 hours.If you want to get the best results, remove your food as soon as possible.pretzels are unlikely to cause staining, but it is better to be safe than sorry.The 3 hour limit is an absolute maximum for high-acid items.
Step 12: To wash food off, use a damp cloth and soap.
Make sure to wash your pieces quickly and gently because many of them function as food service dishes.After using an item, dip a clean cloth into a mixture of water and dish soap.Only as much pressure as is necessary is needed to wipe the food off the item.Under the cool running water, rinse the item.If the food is stuck on, soak the item in the soapy water for no more than a few minutes.The finish may get dull or discolored if the pieces are submerged for longer than this.Don't put your pieces in the dishwasher.
Step 13: To dry a washed item, use a soft cloth.
It is just as important to dry the item quickly and gently as it is to wash it.To wipe the item, use a soft, clean cloth.Don't stop working until the piece is completely dry.To air dry an item, do not leave it damp.The pieces are always dry.Before putting the lid back on, make sure the parts are completely dry.
Step 14: Carefully clean and dry the item.
If the piece is dusty, wipe it down with a soft cloth or a feather duster.Remove smudges and fingerprints by rubbing a clean cloth with a glass cleaner and gently wiping the item.Use a soft cloth, a gentle dish soap, and a bit of water to clean off the food.Don't put the item in the water.It should be dry with a soft cloth.
Step 15: On a clean, soft cloth, squeeze a small amount of Nambé Polish.
It is recommended that you only use its proprietary polish, which is available in 2 oz (57 g) tubes wherever the products are sold.Start by squeezing a small amount onto the cloth.If you need more polish, you can always add it.There is a polishing kit that is sold online and in stores.It's not necessary to wear gloves while you work.You will need at least 1 more cloth to complete the job.If you want, you can try an alternative metal polish, but most people stick with the proprietary polish.
Step 16: Rub on the polish with a back-and-forth motion.
If there are any nicks or scratches in your piece, focus your polishing efforts on that.Rub the cloth over the scratch or nick and see if you can fill it with the polish.With each pass, increase the size of your back and forth motion.It is not necessary to apply the polish evenly.You will use up the expensive Nambé Polish much more quickly if you do that.
Step 17: Rub lightly until a black smudge appears.
You might be a bit alarmed at first, but you should know that this is what you want to see.After a few seconds of applying the polish, it can appear black.If you don't see black after a few seconds of rubbing, apply a bit more polish to your cloth.
Step 18: Use a new soft cloth to buff away the remnants.
Rub the area you just polished with a gentle circular motion after grabbing a fresh cloth.As you work out away from the treated area, keep buffing in small circles.There is a section of the cloth that needs to be adjusted every so often.
Step 19: Try polishing the scratches with steel wool.
It is possible to repeat the process if a scratch or nick doesn't disappear after 1 application of polish.Use extra- fine steel wool instead of a cloth to apply the polish if you follow the same procedure.Use a clean cloth to buff the item.It is a risk-reward proposition to use steel wool.You can make a scratch disappear but rubbing too hard can cause more scratches.If you have a deep scratch or nick, it's a good idea to contact Nambé directly.
Step 20: To wash off the polish, use a gentle soap.
Wet a clean cloth with a mixture of water and soap.Remove all the excess polish by wiping the entire item.After rinsing the item quickly under cool running water, gently pat and wipe it dry with a soft, clean cloth.If you use the item for food service, it is important to remove the excess polish.