Phil M - what kind of cooler, out of curiosity? I'm having a hard time picturing the wort leaking into the interior and ruining its insulating properties. But that may very well be the case and a new cooler gets you rolling again. But with all the cooler mashers here, I'd just think we'd hear more stories like this if that were the case ( first time I've heard of it). I know Denny is still on his original cooler, still sealed with the mini keg bung IIRC. Not trying to be argumentative, just puzzled.