A capacitive sensor probe , comprising: a metal cylindrical shell disposed at an extreme end of a sensor assembly; a coaxial electrode electrically interconnected to the metal cylindrical shell , the coaxial electrode having a center conductor, a dielectric around the center conductor, and an outer conductor, the center conductor being in electrical continuity with the metal cylindrical shell ; an insulator configured to fit adjacent the metal cylindrical shell , and configured to electrically and thermally isolate the metal cylindrical shell from an insulator support element ; and a connector disposed distal from the metal cylindrical shell on the coaxial electrode , and a portion of the connector being in electrical continuity with the metal cylindrical shell via the center conductor of the coaxial electrode ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be disposed within a deep fryer vat , the capacitive sensor probe being disposed to communicate with a volume of fluid within the deep fryer vat ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be in electrical communication with a control system, the capacitive sensor probe and control system determining presence of fluid in the deep fryer vat ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be positioned vertically proximate to an inner metallic wall of the deep fryer vat and is configured to sense a capacitance value of a particular fluid within a space in the deep fryer vat between the metal cylindrical shell and the inner metallic wall of the deep fryer vat , wherein a top of the capacitive sensor probe is aligned to, or just below, a top surface of a burner tube proximate to the capacitive sensor probe . a metal cylindrical shell disposed at an extreme end of a sensor assembly; a coaxial electrode electrically interconnected to the metal cylindrical shell , the coaxial electrode having a center conductor, a dielectric around the center conductor, and an outer conductor, the center conductor being in electrical continuity with the metal cylindrical shell ; an insulator configured to fit adjacent the metal cylindrical shell , and configured to electrically and thermally isolate the metal cylindrical shell from an insulator support element ; and a connector disposed distal from the metal cylindrical shell on the coaxial electrode , and a portion of the connector being in electrical continuity with the metal cylindrical shell via the center conductor of the coaxial electrode ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be disposed within a deep fryer vat , the capacitive sensor probe being disposed to communicate with a volume of fluid within the deep fryer vat ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be in electrical communication with a control system, the capacitive sensor probe and control system determining presence of fluid in the deep fryer vat ; wherein the capacitive sensor probe is configured to be positioned vertically proximate to an inner metallic wall of the deep fryer vat and is configured to sense a capacitance value of a particular fluid within a space in the deep fryer vat between the metal cylindrical shell and the inner metallic wall of the deep fryer vat , wherein a top of the capacitive sensor probe is aligned to, or just below, a top surface of a burner tube proximate to the capacitive sensor probe . <EOS>