Airlock alternatives?

[junglefacejake]

I have a chest freezer that I am using as a fermentation chamber. I recently brewed 2 five-gallon batches and have them fermenting happily in buckets. I want to brew a smaller batch soon and put it in a 5-gallon carboy in the freezer on the little ledge that is unoccupied. The problem is that the freezer lid won't close if the carboy has the airlock attached. I have heard of using a balloon with a pinprick in it as an airlock substitute. I was wondering if this is a reliable method and if it is okay to keep using the balloon after the fermentation has slowed down.

 

[day_trippr]

I was going to suggest a piece of tin foil and a rubber band (it'll still "pass gas") but the balloon has higher potential for visual entertainment. But either will work...

Cheers!

 

[Renoun]

Get a 3/8" barb to 3/8" barb elbow, insert it into the bung, and run the hose into a water trap. You can get a bit more clearance if you use one of the hollow universal stoppers rather than solid rubber bung.

 

[Valtyr]

I recall reading that one member here often pitches his yeast anf ferments right in his brew kettle. He just puts some saran wrap around the lid. It seems to work for him, and could be worth a shot. Of course that would mean you're out of a brew kettle for a few weeks, unless you have extras.