Putting a plate and a rock on top of the kraut, reminded me of my mother fixing eggplant. She would peel it and slice it and set it on a plate with another plate on top and then the flatiron on top of that and then let it sit for several hours. Then she would dip it in a beaten egg and flour and fry it. Why the plate and weight on top. I have ask several people and they all say they never heard of this. Can anyone tell me why? Thanks. Ann ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.