It sounds like something from an episode of The Jetsons. When the milk is out, your fridge lets you know, or when it’s time to cook, your oven preheats all on its own. But while it might be the stuff of futuristic cartoons, smart appliances are making such advances more likely. From brilliant fridges to brainy ranges, computers in appliances can help change the way you eat and the way you interact with your kitchen. Gone are the days when you’d actually have to check to see how much milk you have left—smart appliances may be able to streamline the process.

Apps and Recipes

While you might bring your smartphone or tablet into the kitchen, a smart refrigerator can do you one better by allowing you to download apps directly to the door. With apps available as a feature on your fridge, you’ll be able to really make your appliances work. An app that syncs with recipe site Epicurious, for example, can tell you if you have the ingredients to make those amazing meatballs. Other apps for grocery shopping and tracking the food you have stashed away could mean the difference between cooking at home and another night of takeout.

Wi-Fi Connected Appliances

When you cook, you don’t just use one appliance. Instead, you grab food from the fridge or freezer, defrost items in the microwave and then cook and bake with your range. Of course, afterward you’ll use your dishwasher to help with the cleanup. When using appliances concurrently, it would be helpful if they could “talk” to one another and work cooperatively. Thanks to new Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, your fridge and oven can do just that. You could choose a recipe from your fridge app and your fridge would then tell your oven to turn on and start preheating, which could cut down on time in the kitchen, as well as hassle and effort.

Smart Fridge Lists

Imagine how many times you and your family members open the refrigerator door each day. Whether it’s getting out a jug of milk or just checking out what’s inside, opening and closing the door wastes time and energy. That’s why some of the newer models of a smart fridge can come in handy. As you add items to the fridge, it scans each barcode, cataloging what you have available. The fridge can then display those items on the door screen, so you can see what’s in your fridge without ever having to open it up.

Grocery Manager

Trying to remember if you needed to buy eggs and butter at the store? A smart fridge might be the answer to those grocery shopping woes. Some new technology not only catalogues what you have in your fridge, but tells you the expiration dates and when you’re likely to run out of each of the items. The app that controls the inventory on your fridge can then sync with your smartphone so you always have an updated grocery list handy when you’re at the store – no more forgotten items and unnecessary trips to the store!

With the addition of computers and apps to regular appliances, there’s no telling just what your kitchen could do for you. But even the latest smart appliances can help you shop smarter, eat better and know exactly what you have on hand at all times. Whether you’re dying to try a new recipe or you simply need to know if you have enough milk for tomorrow, smart appliances can turn your kitchen into a veritable command center.