Foil instead of airlock

[SocietyDweller]

I'm using foil once in a while. First time I had to do it was because my airlock was always poping out (wrong size). After that, I used it 3-4 times. Never had any issue.

[straight cash homey]

i use foil all the time, but i also dont have fruit flies

[EagleDude]

I use foil all of the time during the initial fermentation. Since I am fermenting in 6 gallon carboys, I can always expect a little blowoff during this period (not quite enough head space). I form the foil with a little down spout to direct the overflow, then switch to a cap and airlock once fermentation starts to die down.

[brewinhard]

You will be just fine using the foil method. Just be sure to get an airlock on that sucka' as primary fermentation starts to slow down to minimize oxidation from occurring.

[TheDarkSide]

The Hanson Brothers totally agree to puttin' on the foil.

[Evan B]

I've been using foil for my last 20 or so brews with zero problems. I've even seen a fruit fly or two in my house before, but they never seem to make it in to the fermentation fridge.

[11amas]

Same here, starters are only foil, I use foil for the first few days of activity and switch to airlock as things slow. Lagers are the exception or anything I suspect might be slow starting.

[raven19]

If you want to get really funky, how about a balloon with the fat end cut off and stretched over the carboy throat, taped small end over the blow off tube. Gives you the seal and the flexibility in a limited height environment.