yeah I figured out that if you use the bowl on the crock it breaks the seal as normal but if you use the crock on the bowl it dishes out a portion but remains sealed. When I empty one of these sealed crocks and then try and place it in the crate that is where I think the issue occurs. I found that by switching food from another crock into it then back out again it fixes the state and I can place it in the crate. Much better than 30 shelves to place everything on lol