Three Crowdfunded Kitchen Gadgets Put to the Test: SmokPub, Greater Rain and Capsule Solo 2.0

Introduction

Crowdfunding platforms are full of kitchen gadgets that promise to solve problems you may not even have. Three backed projects recently faced a demanding audience of professional chefs: a cocktail smoker called SmokPub, an electric grater called Greater Rain, and the Capsule Solo Personal Dishwasher 2.0, a compact countertop dishwasher. Each one earned real money from backers, and each one earned a genuine reaction from people who cook for a living. Here is how they performed and what you should know before considering one.

SmokPub: Instant Smoke for Cocktails and More

SmokPub describes itself as the world’s first electric smoker for spirits, and the pitch is straightforward: add wood chips, place the device on top of a glass, hold the button, and it delivers smoke into your drink. The company claims it can enhance at least 60 cocktails per charge and pushes out 0.001 cubic metres of smoke per second, which it says surpasses traditional smoking devices.

In use, it is genuinely theatrical. A ten-second burst produced a dense cloud that sat inside the glass like an inverted cloud, and the smoke lingered impressively as you drink, so you get smoky aroma with every sip. It works with wood chips in flavours such as cherry and oak, with up to six flavours sold separately, and finer-cut chips of almost any kind can work in a pinch.

Beyond drinks, it proved versatile enough to smoke food, including beef tartare served in a glass, and the chefs could picture it working in kitchens, dining rooms, bar setups and parlours. It is compact, easy to store, and simple enough that guests can use it themselves. Safety details are thoughtful too: a built-in gas power source accelerates smoke diffusion, there is a built-in flame with a magnetic safety cover that automatically extinguishes it when opened, and the device switches itself off automatically after roughly ten seconds unless you keep it running to intensify the flavour. The campaign raised just over three quarters of a million dollars, and the chefs valued it well above its backing price, with one offering 125 pounds and the deal eventually closing at 150 pounds.

Greater Rain: An Electric Grater for Hard Cheese and Chocolate

Greater Rain is a three-part electric grater designed for hard cheeses, chocolate and similar ingredients. The stand houses the motor and cable, while the storage container that holds the cheese or chocolate goes in the fridge between uses. You unlock the top, insert a cube of cheese, secure it with a spring-loaded cartridge, attach the motor, and one push of a button produces grated cheese directly onto your plate.

The build quality impressed the testers. It feels weighty rather than flimsy, the spring has enough tension to force cheese through the sharp blade, and every part clicks together with a satisfying, tight mechanism. Swapping to a shaving blade for parmesan over risotto worked well, and the spare attachments store neatly inside the cap.

The honest caveat came straight from the chefs: if you have the dexterity to grate with a microplane, this is probably a waste of time. A grater is a single-use tool, and so is this, though it does make less mess because it pushes the results where they need to go. The comparison drawn was to a premium single-purpose pepper mill: brilliant if it does exactly what you want, over-engineered if you do not care. The campaign sought 8,000 dollars and raised 188,000 dollars, and the negotiated price landed at 85 pounds.

Capsule Solo Personal Dishwasher 2.0: Small Space, Full Cycle

The Capsule Solo is pitched as the world’s smallest and fastest dishwasher. It requires no plumbing, though you can plumb it in if you wish, with a water tank you fill and a tube that empties dirty water into a bucket. The headline 15-minute quick wash runs at 75 degrees Celsius and sterilises while it cleans, and it dries at the end of the cycle. There is also a 30-minute cycle at 50 degrees for delicates like chopping boards and wine glasses, deeper cleans up to a two-hour 32-minute cycle for greasy pots and stubborn pans, a long eco mode at two hours 46 minutes that uses less water and electricity, and even a fruit washing function.

On test, dishes that went in very dirty and with dried-on food came out hot and sterile clean. Lightly soiled spoons came out spotless, and even a heavily dried-on plate came out largely clean, with the caveat that no quick cycle will ever remove tannins from tea and coffee cups. Space inside is limited but sufficient for small plates, bowls, cups and cutlery, with an insert tray for utensils, a fruit washing basket, and a variety of other inserts included. Detergent goes into a small square on the lid, which takes a moment to get used to.

The company claims it fits in any space, from a kitchen counter to an office canteen or caravan, and that it uses a tenth of the water, a third of the power and a quarter of the cost of washing by hand. The appeal is clear: the endless places without room for an under-counter dishwasher and no existing plumbing or drainage. The campaign goal of 8,000 pounds was massively exceeded at 622,592 pounds, and the deal was struck at 999 pounds.

Which One Is Worth Your Money?

Each gadget occupies a different niche, and the price gap between them is enormous. The SmokPub earned the strongest overall verdict, delivering above and beyond what it promises, and it makes sense for anyone who entertains with cocktails at home or runs a small bar space. Greater Rain is the most polarising: beautifully made, but easy to live without if you already grate comfortably by hand. The Capsule Solo is the boldest bet, solving a real space problem that nothing else on the market currently addresses, but it demands a premium price for that novelty.

If you entertain often, the SmokPub offers the clearest value. If counter space is your biggest kitchen problem and you wash few dishes at a time, the Capsule Solo is worth serious consideration. If you simply want effortless parmesan and have money to spare, Greater Rain will do the job, but only enthusiasts need apply.

Conclusion

All three crowdfunded gadgets are genuinely interesting, but they are not equally essential. The SmokPub overdelivers on its promise of flavour and theatre, the Capsule Solo fills a real gap for small-space living at a steep price, and Greater Rain is a well-engineered luxury for cheese lovers. Match the gadget to a need you actually have, and each one can earn its place on the counter.