[stuarth]

I'm glad it's not just me and leaky Duracells.

Ever since shops had to take back used batteries, I've been chucking flat batteries into an old coffee mug, and when it's full, taking them back to the shop.

Before they go, I go through them and count how many of each brand there are, and how many show signs of leakage. I use mainly 3 brands listed below, I don't list batteries beyond their best before date, or brands where I have only a small number of batteries.
This list is AA and AAA batteries over the last couple of years or so (must use mere rechargeables.....)

Panasonic, 72 cells, 1 leaked
Duracell, 42 cells, 9 leaked
Aerocell, 40 cells, 1 leaked

I use mainly Panasonics, £1.00 for 4.
Aerocell, also £1.00 for 4 have the date only on the packaging, not on the cells.
I've stopped using Duracells, they're 3~4 times the price, don't really last longer in most applications, and at least one of the leaky ones was unused, still in date, and still in it's blister pack.

All brands could leak, so I try to remove batteries form equipment not in use.

Stuart