Why I Created SpicyIoT

You know how it goes. You start with a simple Arduino project to monitor temperature in your greenhouse. Then you add humidity sensors. Maybe some soil moisture probes. Before you know it, you’re running a dozen different scripts, checking multiple dashboards, and still missing critical alerts because everything’s scattered across different systems.

That was me 8 years ago. My YouTube channel was growing, my commercial growing operation was expanding, and I desperately needed a proper monitoring solution. The enterprise options were overkill (and priced accordingly), whilst the hobby platforms couldn’t handle the reliability I needed for my business.

So I did what any reasonable person would do, spent the next few years building exactly what I needed.

What Makes SpicyIoT Different

I use SpicyIoT every single day to run my actual growing operation, my business. It’s not some theoretical product built in a boardroom. Every feature exists because I needed it, tested it, and refined it in real-world conditions.

The platform handles everything from basic sensor monitoring to complex automation rules. Whether you’re tracking a single temperature sensor in your bedroom or managing an entire commercial operation, it scales with you. Start free with generous limits perfect for hobby projects, then unlock additional features when you need them.

Built for Makers, By a Maker

I’ve kept things simple on purpose. Connect any device that can send web requests – Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, or even industrial equipment. The RESTful API is straightforward, and I’ve included example code for popular platforms because I remember the frustration of starting from scratch.

Custom dashboards? Drag and drop your widgets however you like. Need alerts? Set up email notifications or webhooks with custom rules. Want to add cameras? Integrate IP cameras or ESP32-CAMs for visual monitoring and time-lapses.

Every feature has been battle-tested in my own setup. If it’s in SpicyIoT, it’s because it proved useful in practice, not because it looked good on a feature list.

No Venture Capital Nonsense

I’ve bootstrapped this entire project. No investors breathing down my neck, no pressure to extract every penny from users. Just solid engineering funded by my YouTube channel and growing business.

This means I can offer a proper free tier that actually stays free. Perfect for weekend projects, students, or anyone just getting started with IoT. When you’re ready for more features, the pricing is reasonable because I’m not trying to achieve a 10x return for Silicon Valley investors.

Your Data, Your Control

One principle I won’t compromise on: your data belongs to you. Export it anytime in CSV or JSON format. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary formats, no holding your information hostage. If you decide SpicyIoT isn’t for you, take your data and leave – no hard feelings.

From Arduino Projects to Commercial Operations

SpicyIoT adapts to whatever you’re building:

• Home Projects: Monitor temperature, humidity, energy usage, or build your own smart home devices
• Growing & Agriculture: Track environmental conditions, automate irrigation, monitor soil moisture and pH levels
• Business & Industrial: Equipment health monitoring, production metrics, environmental compliance
• Education & Research: Collect experimental data, teach IoT concepts, prototype new ideas
• Environmental Monitoring: Weather stations, air quality sensors, water level monitoring

The same platform that started monitoring a few sensors in my greenhouse now manages my entire commercial operation – and it can do the same for you.

Join Me on This Journey

After 8+ years of development and real-world testing, SpicyIoT is ready for you to try. No credit card required, no trial period that expires – just create an account and start monitoring.

Whether you’re a weekend tinkerer or running a business, I built SpicyIoT to grow with your ambitions. The community is already sharing projects, code, and ideas, and I’d love to see what you create with it.

Visit SpicyIoT.com to get signed up. And if you have questions or feedback, reach out. I’m a daily user who genuinely wants to make this the best monitoring platform for makers like us.

Let’s build something brilliant together.

– Shaun (ChilliChump)

The Bhut Jolokia, also known as the Ghost Pepper, is a legend in the chilli world.  In 2007 it was certified by Guinness World Records as the worlds hottest pepper. That really kicked off the race to create even hotter chillies. Even though the Bhut Jolokia is no longer rated as the worlds hottest chilli pepper, it is no slouch at over 1 million Scoville heat units!

I developed this recipe so that the delicious Bhut Jolokia flavour is dominant, with the other ingredients coming together to compliment the taste and take it to another level! I made sure to use a more subtle vinegar with the White Wine Vinegar, but not too much. Instead, I added some water so that the vinegar wasn’t too overwhelming. This is a hot one!

Buy it here

p.s. You may have noticed a new “mascot” on the bottle. I talked about this in my last livestream. This will be what I use in the future to show the heat of my sauce and spice (the facial expression should give an indication)! I am still trying to figure out a name for the little guy, so if you have any good ideas, please get in contact! 

Pricing Improvements

I am constantly trying to improve prices, to be fair to you as well as to myself. As I am able to improve efficiency while making my sauces and spices, bottling, labelling etc., I will constantly revise my pricing to reflect this. As a result, I have decided to permanently reduce the price of my Blazing Buffalo eXtreme Hot Sauce by 15%.

Buy it here

You may have also noticed there are some better prices and options with shipping too! There is now an economy option to the USA, which is similarly priced to shipping to Europe. 

A massive thank you

I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe in these times of turmoil. It can be easy to be overwhelmed by everything that is going on in the world. I try to focus on one positive thing each day, big or small! It may be some new chillies forming from my flowers, or seeing the ladybugs visiting my plants. My positive focus today is how fortunate I am to know all of you, for the support you give me…and that is a big one!

Stay Safe and Stay Spicy!

From ChilliChump and Mrs ChilliChump