diff --git a/src/main/java/io/redspace/ironsspellbooks/block/alchemist_cauldron/AlchemistCauldronTile.java b/src/main/java/io/redspace/ironsspellbooks/block/alchemist_cauldron/AlchemistCauldronTile.java
index 342d5c7ec..0c7054dca 100644
--- a/src/main/java/io/redspace/ironsspellbooks/block/alchemist_cauldron/AlchemistCauldronTile.java
+++ b/src/main/java/io/redspace/ironsspellbooks/block/alchemist_cauldron/AlchemistCauldronTile.java
@@ -476,16 +476,19 @@ protected static void createBottleEmptyInteraction(Object2ObjectOpenHashMap<Item
      ***********************************************************/
     @Override
     public int[] getSlotsForFace(Direction pSide) {
+        //any side has access to all four input items
         return new int[]{0, 1, 2, 3};
     }
 
     @Override
     public boolean canPlaceItemThroughFace(int pIndex, ItemStack pItemStack, @Nullable Direction pDirection) {
-        return inputItems.stream().anyMatch(ItemStack::isEmpty) && isValidInput(pItemStack);
+        //any side can insert a valid item into any empty slot
+        return inputItems.get(pIndex).isEmpty() && isValidInput(pItemStack);
     }
 
     @Override
     public boolean canTakeItemThroughFace(int pIndex, ItemStack pStack, Direction pDirection) {
+        //cannot automatically withdraw items
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -507,17 +510,11 @@ public boolean isEmpty() {
 
     @Override
     public ItemStack getItem(int pSlot) {
-        /*
-        This should only be getting used by the hopper, but the hopper messing with the reference we return.
-        Therefore, we want to effectively make our stuff private because of the wacky rules the cauldron is subject to
-        This shouldn't mess with other stuff, but I'm unfortunately not familiar with the 150+ uses of the interface to say certainly. (and then there's other mods)
-         */
-        return /*pSlot >= 0 && pSlot <= inputItems.size() ? inputItems.get(pSlot) : */ItemStack.EMPTY;
+        return pSlot >= 0 && pSlot <= inputItems.size() ? inputItems.get(pSlot) : ItemStack.EMPTY;
     }
 
     @Override
     public ItemStack removeItem(int pSlot, int pAmount) {
-        //stack size is always one inside the cauldron, so we should be able to ignore amount
         return pSlot >= 0 && pSlot <= inputItems.size() ? inputItems.remove(pSlot) : ItemStack.EMPTY;
     }