In making kimchi, chop the cabbage
with a knife, toss it in a 5 gallon food grade container, add salt and mix together. Cover loosely with a plate, that lodges in the bucket above the kimchi. Let sit for 30 minutes, mash with a 2x4, and the juice will cover the cabbage at that point.
Add ingredients as desired. Keep the cabbage submerged by stirring or mashing once or twice a day depending on temperature. I don't weight the kimchi down with anything. The kimchi is ready in 12 hours, best in 2 or 3 days, and usually eaten by 7 days. There's no reason to refrigerate unless you plan to keep it for longer.