Hydrometer
 

After reading the wort should I put the sample back to e fermented

Nope! And clean the heck out of the dipper before putting it away.

Why not? And how do u get wart in test tube?

Should you? Your choice. You do risk infection. Is it worth that 2-3 ounces of beer? If you do decide to return it, clean and sanitize the wine thief and the hydrometer.

I don't think it is worth the risk, so I pour it into a glass and taste it.

Nope, i would drink it.

Most definitely drink it! I never met a sample I didn't drink. :D

I always just drop the hydrometer directly in the wort...

Is this a bad idea?

Nope. This is ok to do as long as you sanitize first. Tough to do in a carboy though...

It's what I do when using buckets as fermenters. Just sanitize the hydro with Star-san first. EZPZ

Gary

Heck yeah, use a thief that's been sanitized. I taste my batches every time.