A refrigerator appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a door, a dispensing assembly, a heating element, and a controller. The controller may be configured to initiate a dispensing operation. The dispensing operation may include providing a first time, TIME-1, by which a fluid is to be ready at a first temperature, TEMP-1, within the cabinet; ascertaining a first time period, Δt1, required to heat the fluid to at least the first temperature, TEMP-1; initiating detection of a container within a dispenser recess prior to the first time, TIME-1; and directing a heating element prior to the first time, TIME-1, based on initiating detection of the container.