I use 1 gallon glass pickle jars from the supermarket. The same cap will work if it seals normally.
Is the chili paste an asian chili paste? Or would a Tex/Mex version work?
I've used kimchee base, which is a mild chili paste. I've used home-grown ground tabasco peppers as a paste, and I've used Thai curry paste. It all depends on your personal tastes. The Thai curry paste is hot, and the tabasco pepper paste is REAL HOT. I share my kimchee with my neighbors and they like the milder tasting kimchee.
—The Thai curry paste is hot, and the tabasco pepper paste is REAL HOT—
I suppose using my Ghost Peppers would be off the scale hot, huh?