Pumping batch sparge water through valve/braid?

[Peruvian802]

I got a mini-pump to transfer liquor from my HLT to my picnic cooler MLT. If I'm batch sparging, is there an issue with pumping hot liquor from my HLT back up through the valve on the cooler? Or should I just set it up to pour back over the top through the cooler lid?

 

[calebgk]

If you usually stir your mash after adding your sparge water, I suppose it doesn't make a difference, as you'll have to vorlauf anyways. But then you are trying to pump against the weight of the mash, which, depending on your mash, may be a struggle. Just pump it over the top.