Here's what you can do with Whirlpool's new smart app

When it comes to appliances, there are a lot of different smart platforms out there, so it can be difficult to know what you’re getting with any given device.

If you're a longtime Whirlpool user or you've just bought one of the popular brand’s new smart appliances, we'll walk you through its smart app so you can better understand exactly what capabilities you get by pairing your phone with your new dishwasher or washing machine.

Before you get started

The Whirlpool app is available on iOS and Android as a free download; all users can download it and enjoy the benefits! Setting it up with your appliance is very easy to do—but there’s still a few things to keep in mind before you start.

This technology only works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, not 5GHz networks—make sure your router is compatible. You’ll also want to have your phone’s Bluetooth turned on ahead of time. Lastly, take a look at the appliance to see if it has a QR code on it: You may need to scan it as part of the connection process, but it's only present on select products.

After using it, we found that Whirlpool's app is a bit aspirational about what available appliances do and don’t have smart features—so be sure to check Whirlpool’s site first. For example, it lists refrigerators in the app, but you won’t find any smart fridges currently available on Whirlpool’s site. As such, we’re going to focus on three categories today: laundry (washers, dryers, and all-in-one), cooking (wall ovens, ranges, microwaves), and dishwashers.

Laundry

Features:

• Select cycle
• Select cycle options
• Set/recall favorite cycle settings
• View wash cycle history
• Download extra cycles
• Set start/end time
• Remote start
• Import settings from washer to dryer
• Check cycle status
• Notification when cycle is complete
• Notification when detergent or fabric softener is low (front-loaders only)
• Start utility cycle
• Voice commands via Google assistant and Alexa

Whether it’s a washer, dryer, or an all-in-one combination unit, these appliances pretty much boast the same sets of smart features.

First and foremost, it’s important to know how Whirlpool handles laundry cycles. While most other manufacturers have more traditional settings, like normal, quick wash, heavy duty and delicates, Whirlpool breaks up their cycles into two parts: “what to wash” and “how to wash” (or “what to dry” and “how to dry”). This system can be more intuitive for those new to doing their own laundry, and also provides better information to the appliance for how you’d like your clothes washed.

When using the Whirlpool app, you have access to just about any set of controls you’d normally find on your washer or dryer. This means you can set up cycles remotely as well as further customize the cycles with whatever options the device normally offers. For a washer and dryer pair, you can even import settings from the washer over to the dryer, so you don’t even have to bother with inputting additional settings.

Once your laundry is loaded in, you can use the app to choose when the cycle should start or stop, or simply remotely start the cycle right then and there. Using this feature will require you to be at your washer or dryer first, though: Not only do you have to put in your laundry, you’ll also need to enable the “remote control” mode on the machine itself.

While the cycle is running, you can check its status with the app to see how much longer it has to go. If you don’t want to be constantly checking your phone, you can also opt to receive a notification once the cycle is complete.

What’s really neat is if you have a smart assistant, like Google assistant or Amazon Alexa, you can set up commands to control your laundry by voice. Nothing says, “it’s the future” like telling a robot to start the laundry.

Front-load washers also have a feature that top-loaders lack: Models equipped with the Load & Go dispenser will send you a notification whenever your detergent or fabric softener is running low.

• Get the Whirlpool WFC8090GX all-in-one washer/dryer for $1,699
• Get the Whirlpool WTW8120HC top-load washer for $1,199
• Get the Whirlpool WED8120HC dryer for $1,199

Ranges, wall ovens, and microwaves

Features:

• Remote preheat
• Yummly meal-planning integration
• Step-by-step cooking instructions
• Scan-to-Cook technology
• Voice commands via Google Assistant and Alexa
• Toggle Keep Warm setting

When it comes to cooking, Whirlpool offers an almost entirely different suite of smart functionality.

Across its ranges, wall ovens, and microwaves, you do have access to remote start and notifications when something has finished cooking. This means you can start preheating your dinner while you’re driving home from work, or make sure you never burn a meal because you couldn’t hear your oven timer’s faint beeping from the other room.

One of the coolest smart features to be offered by Whirlpool cooking appliances is the Yummly meal-planning integration, which remembers your preferences and dietary restrictions and will generate entire meal plans for you based on your specific tastes. On top of this, you can also receive step-by-step cooking instructions on your phone to ensure a perfect meal each time.

You can also use Whirlpool’s Scan-to-Cook technology. This lets you scan in a frozen food item’s bar code. Doing so automatically starts preheating your oven or pushes the ideal cooking instructions to your microwave.

Not sure if you can tear yourself away from your computer to get that meal you were reheating in your oven? Remotely enable Keep Warm mode and get to your meal on your own time.

Of course, with smart assistant integration you can set up any of these features to different voice commands, which can integrate with other smart devices around your house. You can program Alexa to respond to “let's make dinner” by dimming the lights, preheating your Whirlpool oven, and queuing up your meticulously-curated playlist of songs about food.

• Get the Whirlpool WMHA9019HV Smart Microwave for $899
• Get the Whirlpool WFG975H0HV 5.8 cu. ft. Gas Range for $1349
• Get the Whirlpool WOS51EC0HS 5.0 cu. ft. Wall Oven for $1,599

Dishwashers

Features:

• Can access special downloadable cycles
• Remote start
• Voice commands via Google Assistant and Alexa

Dishwashers round out our list, as they currently contain the fewest smart features in Whirlpool’s line-up.

The main features here are the same as the other two major categories: Remote start and notifications when a cycle is complete. Remote start can begin whenever you want it to, or you can set a specific time you want a cycle to start or end. You can also check on a cycle’s status in the app to see how much time is left before you have spotless dishes.

You can set up cycles and tweak all the options you’d normally find on your dishwasher, only you also have access to a ton of other cycles that are only available via the app, such as the Canning & Brewing Items cycle and the Plastics cycle. The former (Canning and Brewing cycle) cleans heavily soiled items with higher water temperatures to get things nice and clean, while the latter (Plastics Cycle) uses gentle cleaning and lower temps needed for plastics.

As always, you can also set up any of the above functionality to work with your Alexa or Google Assistant through voice commands.

Get the Whirlpool WDTA75SAHN dishwasher for $880