Do I need a refrigerator that talks to me?

My parents are in the process of renovating their home, and to document the process, they began a series of several DIY smart home projects. One of the first things they had to decide was what appliances to put in the space and whether those appliances should be "smart."

Over the past few years, more and more of the best refrigerators, best electric ranges, and best dishwashers have been equipped with smart features and can be controlled from a smartphone or from a smart assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant. More products will be unveiled at this week's KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show). Already, a refrigerator display can look up recipes, plan the week's menu, and send preheating instructions to a smart oven.

As I read the early press releases associated with KBIS, which officially opens on February 9, I wondered if smart appliances like those on display would be worth the investment. Is it just a few years away that everyone will have a tablet-controlled refrigerator that serves spherical ice? More importantly, will owning an app-controlled oven improve the quality of life in the apartment?

Since my father is responsible for most of the contract work, the appliances will be the largest consolidated expense in this project. Our rough budget is $5,000, and the $4,445 LG Instaview with Craft Ice is unfortunately out of range. Samsung's Family Hub could be more affordable, but I'm not comfortable with a refrigerator that requires software updates. For a bustling household with varying schedules and dietary needs, an appliance that reminds you to pick up carpools and recommends a grocery list might make sense. My parents, however, are basically an elderly couple who have nothing and will barbecue outside if the temperature is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

The time will come for smart appliances, but that time in the Kozuch household can't come soon enough; according to a smart appliance analyst via Statista, "As a first step, customers will buy low-cost smart appliances like smart coffee machines and vacuum robots Whereas people who already own products in other segments are more likely to buy larger, higher-priced [smart] appliances like refrigerators."

Despite my experience with smart home devices, my parents' house is currently the dumbest of the dumb. I think my parents need to get used to the smart locks and smart switches they will soon install before they level up to a refrigerator with a camera. I also think it will take a few more years for smart appliances to become budget friendly, as small smart home devices are. That may happen sooner rather than later: Samsung now has a Wi-Fi and voice-controlled range that can be purchased starting at $999.

Then the day may come when you want and can afford a beautiful brass range like GE's new Monogram range, which is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and starts at $13,500. The configurable cooktop benefits from a precision-cooking TrueTemp burner that maintains a specific temperature over time via a companion app.

LG's latest InstaView refrigerator can also open the door via voice command. The fridge has a speaker as well as a microphone, and also features a UV light in the water dispenser that LG says can kill up to 99.99% of bacteria. Pricing has not yet been announced, but it will not be cheap.

After scouring P.C. Richard and Son, Lowes, and Home Depot on Long Island, we ended up with a 30-inch Whirlpool unit with French doors, a freezer drawer, a water dispenser, and an ice maker. Not smart, but priced at $2,000. As for ranges, microwaves, and dishwashers, Frigidaire has a suite that looks great in the showroom and fits within your budget.

You might ask, "Kate, isn't this a DIY smart home series?" Yes, it doesn't appear to be Jetsons certified yet, but we'll get there soon, I promise. And I don't intend to completely omit smarts from the first phase of the renovation. This $300 Moen motion control faucet is the perfect training ground for the rest of the automation that is coming to our home. As mentioned, we love to barbecue, so it's important to keep the sink as clean as possible so it doesn't get contaminated with uncooked meat. You can turn the water on and off with a wave of your hand. I think I saw something like this in Jane's kitchen.

I have a question about DIY smart homes. Whether it's a how-to or a buying decision you're struggling with, if there's something you'd like me to cover, please email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best smart home devices (and the best inexpensive smart home devices).