Rapid response food thermometer and related methods

A food thermometer comprising:

• a probe body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a handle affixed to the first end of the probe body;
• a temperature detecting tip affixed to the second end of the probe body, the temperature detecting tip configured to piece into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item, the temperature detecting tip comprising:
• a thermocouple including an external thermocouple element and an internal thermocouple element;
• a thermocouple junction connecting between the external thermocouple element and the internal thermocouple element of the thermocouple;
• and
• a piercing tip adjacent the thermocouple junction;
• a sensor region located within the probe body proximate the temperature detecting tip, the sensor region comprising at least one capacitive electrode;
• and
• a signal lead configured to transmit at least one electrical property measured by the insertion depth sensor to a microcontroller,
• the microcontroller configured to calculate an insertion depth of the piecing tip into the food item based on the at least one electrical property measured by the insertion depth sensor.

A food thermometer comprising:

• a probe body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a handle connected to the first end of the probe body;
• a temperature detecting tip connected to the second end of the probe body, the temperature detecting tip configured to piece into a food item and determine a temperature of the food item, the temperature detecting tip comprising:
• a thermocouple including an external thermocouple element and an internal thermocouple element;
• a thermocouple junction connecting between the external thermocouple element and the internal thermocouple element of the thermocouple;
• and
• a piercing tip adjacent the thermocouple junction;
• an insertion depth sensor comprising an emitter to generate an emitted signal directed towards the food item, and a detector to receive a detected signal reflected from the food item;
• a microcontroller configured to operatively communicate with the insertion depth sensor for determining a distance between the insertion depth sensor and the food item.