I need to learn to use thermocouples, and am looking for thermocouple
interface designs and/or chips to minimize the effort :-) I'm a
thermocouple newbie, so I'm looking for advice or suggestions from
veterans. I've been doing lots of reading about thermocouples, so I'm
getting a good picture for what's involved, and it's semi-hairy,
electronically speaking.

I've found two very helpful (though expensive) ICs: Analog Devices
AD594/5 (a monolithic cold junction compensator/amplifier package, looks
VERY handy) and Linear Technologies LT1025 (cold junction compensator,
also available as a "kit" with a matched amplifier).

Are there other ICs I should look at? Or should I simply "roll my own"
circuit with real good op amps, etc.? Cost is an issue, but time is even
more an issue, so right now I'm leaning toward the AD594 or something
similar.

Any advice/tips/war stories appreciated. Private email encouraged, since
this is really OT.

Dave Johnson