I'm experiencing really active fermentation on a RIS. I'm worried it's going to blow while I'm at work. Can I remove the airlock, clean it, and replace it?
Woohoo! Yeah, if you dont have a blow off tube you can rig up, just clean it, sanitize, and replace. If it's that active and you quickly clean and replace, you won't have any issues with baddies getting in there. However, you may get home from work and find the same thing and have to do it again. No worries though! Congrats on that!
If it's not in a fermentation chamber, I'd put that into your tub and throw something loosely over it or you may have to clean your floor/walls/ceiling when you get home.