Old Town Imports
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  • FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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About Our Products

Q. What is the difference between Old Town Imports products and other brands?
A. Old Town Imports products are made of the same materials as many other brands (Wilton Armetale, Arthur Court, Nambe); however, our products are considerably less in price than other name brands.

​Q. Where are your products made?
A. Old Town Imports produces handmade products in India and Mexico. We have personal relationships with each of our factory suppliers to ensure the highest quality in our products. Each piece from Old Town Imports is handcrafted, one at a time, by skilled artisans. 

Q. Do you sell pewter?
A. Many people refer to any kind of metal serveware as pewter, a term that literally means a mixture of any number of silver-gray metal alloys. The majority of our particular alloy is made of aluminum (for shiny quality), with a small percentage of copper (for malleability) and silica (for strength).

Q. Are your products food safe? Do they contain lead?
A. Old Town Imports serveware products are 100% food safe. Our aluminum serveware is lead free, and our facilities are regularly examined to maintain our high quality standard. Our products also surpass all FDA standards and Proposition 65 regulations.

Q. Are your products made of silver and will they tarnish?
A. While appearing silver in color, our products are not made of silver. Therefore they do not cost as much as silver, nor do they require the same maintenance—our products will never tarnish!
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Product Care

Q. What about the imperfections I might see in my product?
A. Because each product piece is hand-made, each has unique markings, many of which are not considered to be imperfections. Slight variations are a natural part of the process, which authenticates the uniqueness of each piece. We check each product for quality to ensure it is appropriate for sale.

Q. Will the product scratch?
A. Like other metal items, these items may become scratched. Slight surface scratches may occur from regular use. To avoid major scratches, do not cut directly on product surface or use stringent materials to clean it.

Q. Can I put my product in the dishwasher?
A. No. Our serveware is hand-wash, hand-dry only. Aluminum serveware should NOT be washed in the dishwasher. Handwash in warm soapy water, rinse, and dry. Rinse and towel dry thoroughly before initial use and promptly after each subsequent use. Spotting may occur if pieces are left to drip dry. If your piece is mistakenly put in the dishwasher, you can try using a good metal polish suitable for aluminum. 

Q. Can I cook with aluminum? Will it go in the fridge, freezer, or oven?
A. Our serveware retains serving temperature beautifully. You can heat the serving pieces in the oven (not microwave) up to about 200 F, and it will keep foods warm for over an hour. (Do not use your serveware for actual cooking.) Or if you’re looking to keep foods cold, chill your pieces in the fridge or freezer to serve cold foods.

Q. How do I care for my products?
A. Each of our products is delivered with a Quality Statement and Care Card with instructions. 
  • Handwash in warm, sudsy water. Rinse and towel dry thoroughly before initial use and promptly after each subsequent use. Spotting may occur if pieces are left to drip dry.
  • Do not wash in dishwasher, as detergents may cause discoloration. For light cleaning, such as removing dust or fingerprints, use a soft cloth and glass cleaner.
  • To minimize scratching, do not cut directly on surface.
  • When serving acidic or salty foods such as tomatoes, citric fruits or vinegar, first lightly coat the surface of your serveware with vegetable or olive oil. The oil will act as a barrier and protect your serveware from discoloration. When your event has concluded, remove any leftover food immediately and gently wash with soap and water.
  • Do not leave food or liquid in your serveware for prolonged periods of time. Remove contents after each use–especially acidic foods, vinegars and dressings. Standing water may cause staining.
  • As with any metal, do not use in microwave.
© Old Town Imports | 2020