Another Bruloonlock method

[Buffers brewery]

Having tried and failed at the @DocAnna method (my fault, not hers) and being chastened by @Coffin Dodger for not doing my research properly I decided to create another option for pimping a foil balloon to collect CO2 (yes, not enough to do).
So, take your balloon and using a pair of scissors cut the end off where the restriction starts.

Open the throat of the balloon..

...and gently create a cuff by turning the edge over on itself (a bit fiddly).

Take your choice of tubing, I use 6mm OD pneumatic hose, and apply a generous bead of silicone sealant around tubing about 25mm from the end to be inserted into the balloon..

Carefully insert the tube into the balloon opening and squidge (technical term) the sealant around the inside surface..

Now the messy bit. Get a small cable tie and loop it together. Then flatten the balloon opening against the tube (sealant should ooze out) and wrap it around on itself. Slip the cable tie over the join and tighten to hold everything in place. Smooth the sealant around the tube/balloon joint..

When sealant has set, trim cable tie and fit tap (if required).

 

[JockyBrewer]

Way better than my method of using duct tape.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Dam! Why didn’t I think of Duck tape!

 

[Pennine]

I really need to do this, when do you hook it on the fermenter?

 

[Buffers brewery]

I haven’t finalised my method yet. Still xbeerimenting. I plan to connect my keg (full of water) first, before fermentation starts, hoping that the initial fermentation will be vigorous enough to push the water out and fill the keg with CO2. If that works, I’ll disconnect the keg and connect the balloon to collect the CO2 from the later stage of fermentation. That will be used for cold crashing.

 

[Buffers brewery]

So, latest update on my now tried and tested method.

1. I connect the balloon to the FV first, hoping that any air in the FV is flushed out with the first CO2.
2. When the balloon is full(ish) I connect my (sanitised and full of water) King Keg “gas in” post. “Beer out” post is connected to a drain pipe to a large bucket.
3. When all the water is flushed out of the King Keg I disconnect both gas and beer connectors sealing in the CO2.
4. I connect another empty balloon to the FV exhaust to collect enough CO2 for cold crashing.
5. If the second balloon is full before fermentation is complete, it’s replaced with a bubbler until fermentation is finished when the balloon is reconnected.