If you’re a lover of mystery games, you know how important it is to set the scene. Hence, you’ve chosen the ideal game, transformed your home with themed decor, and even crafted a menu to complement the atmosphere.

But have you considered the silent party helpers – your home appliances? 

Ensuring they’re in top shape is critical to prevent any unwelcome surprises. Here are 8 tips to help ensure that your appliances don’t spoil your mystery game night. 

1. Check your freezer and fridge.

Your refrigerator and freezer aren’t just appliances – they’re the guardians of your game-night snacks and beverages.  

To make sure they’re up to the challenge, check their temperatures a few days before the event. Ideally, your refrigerator should be at or below 40°F (4°C), while your freezer should be set to 0°F (-18°C).

If the temperatures are off, try vacuuming the coils to remove any dirt or debris that might be affecting performance. If that doesn’t solve the issue, it might be time to call in a professional for a thorough checkup.

2. Inspect your oven and stove. 

You’ve planned an epic themed dinner, and the last thing you want is for your oven or stove to bow out at the crucial moment. 

To avoid this, test your oven by baking something small a few days in advance. 

Be mindful of any unusual noises, smells, or uneven baking. And don’t forget to check that all your stove burners are firing up as they should.

3. Is your dishwasher working right? 

After a night filled with fun and mystery games, the last thing you want to deal with is a pile of dirty dishes.

Make sure your dishwasher is ready to handle the load by running a test cycle a few days before your game night. If it’s not cleaning properly, troubleshoot the issue—check the filter, spray arms, and detergent levels.

No dishwasher? Consider stocking up on disposable, eco-friendly plates and cutlery to make cleanup easier and keep the fun going without interruption.

4. Make sure your HVAC is working properly. 

Creating the perfect mystery game night atmosphere goes beyond the game – it also means ensuring your guests are comfortable. 

Check your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure it’s working efficiently. 

Depending on the season, make sure your heating or AC is functioning well. You don’t want your guests too cold or too hot as they’re trying to solve a murder mystery. After all, you want them focusing on the game instead of keeping themselves cozy. 

Even if you have purchased our Balmy Bahamas Cruise Party Kit your guests don’t want to be sweating in 85°F Bahama like weather!

5. Lighting is crucial.

The right lighting can make or break the atmosphere of your mystery game night. Ensure all your light fixtures are working correctly and replace any flickering or dead bulbs. 

If you’re up for it, consider adding some extra atmospheric lighting – like a fire pit if outdoors or fairy lights or candles – to really set the mood.

Another option to add some extra atmosphere is some LED smart Lights that can also sync with music.

6. Test out your sound system. 

Your sound system can make or break a mystery game night. I mean, you and I both know how crappy speakers can make even the most well-planned parties feel subpar. 

That being said, check your speakers and sound system to ensure they’re working and that they’re providing a clear sound. 

If you’re using a record player or a Bluetooth speaker, make sure those are functioning well too. Why does the bluetooth connection never work when you need it? Consider going old school with a cable plug in speaker. If you do go with bluetooth be sure to fully charge it to avoid it going flat halfway through the party.

7. Are you set for an emergency situation?

While you might not expect a power outage, it’s better to be prepared. Especially if you are in the middle of solving a mystery!

Check your flashlights and ensure you have candles and matches on hand. This definitely seem like over-preparing, but if the lights go out, you’ll be glad you did it. Unless of course it’s all part of the fun and mystery??

8. One less thing, Forget your mobile phone & smart devices!

Whilst you make sure that you are the best possible host by ensuring your appliances are in working order. We encourage you and your guests to focus on the mystery game at hand and leave the mobile phone’s & smart devices (being your phones and iPads) hidden or better still at home. By doing this you and your guests will be able to get fully immersed in the best mystery party ever! In particular If you are selecting a ‘Murder Mysteries – Period Games none of these games where in a time period where mobile phones even existed.

Conclusion

While it might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of your game night planning, ensuring your appliances are in good working order can make all the difference. (Except, the cellular ones!)

By following these tips, you’ll help ensure the only mysteries on game night are the ones in the game, not whether your appliances will hold up. Here’s to a fantastic, fun-filled, and hiccup-free game night!