Abstract: A thermometer to monitor food in accordance with a monitoring procedure includes a measurement input probe to contact the food to capture temperature information, and a housing coupled to the measurement input probe and having a user interface. Visual indicators of the user interface have a modifiable appearance to convey status information for a respective stage of the monitoring procedure. A controller disposed in the housing is configured to implement a routine in accordance with the monitoring procedure and in response to the temperature information. The routine includes a timer routine to count elapsed time, and is configured to cause the controller to direct the display to convey the temperature information and to indicate the elapsed time, and to direct each visual indicator to convey the status information in accordance with the temperature information and the elapsed time.