The Breville Milk Café BMF600XL is a countertop jug frother that heats and froths milk in one stainless steel jug, switches itself off at the temperature you pick, and lists for $199.95 at Breville US. It is built for people who make lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolate often and would rather press a dial than watch a steam wand.
What is the Breville Milk Café BMF600XL?
It is a two-part appliance: a power base with induction heating and a removable stainless steel milk jug with a pouring spout, a handle and inner measurement markings. Breville ships it with two frothing discs, a Cappuccino disc for thick, creamy froth and a Latte disc for smooth, silky milk, plus a lid with a ring-pull and a measuring cap for adding ingredients once mixing has started. The discs click onto a shaft at the bottom of the jug, and the base has on-board disc storage. It works on its own, so it does not need an espresso machine or a steam wand.
Breville Milk Café BMF600XL specs
| Spec | Breville states |
|---|---|
| Frothing capacity | 16 fl oz (500 ml) to the CAPP/LATTE MAX marking |
| Heating capacity | 25 fl oz (750 ml) to the HOT CHOC MAX marking |
| Heating | Induction, 500 W, 120 V 60 Hz |
| Settings | Cold Stir, Warm, Optimum Temperature, Hot |
| Cycle time | 2 to 7 minutes heated; Cold Stir runs 60 seconds |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 6.4 x 7.5 x 10.4 in (163 x 191 x 264 mm) |
| Weight | 3.46 lbs (1.57 kg) |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Breville does not publish a noise level, the country of manufacture, or whether spare parts are sold directly. Those gaps are worth knowing before you buy.
How does the Milk Café froth and heat milk?
You fit the disc you want, pour cold milk between the MIN and MAX markings, put the lid on, set the jug on the base and turn the START | STOP push-dial to a temperature. The dial is marked at 120, 140 and 160 degrees, with an Optimum Milk Temp range printed between them, and Breville recommends staying inside that range for lattes and cappuccinos. Press the center of the dial once, firmly, and the frother beeps once and starts. The induction base heats the jug while the disc spins the milk. When the milk reaches the selected temperature the frother stops itself and beeps twice. Breville says that takes anywhere from 2 to 7 minutes depending on how much milk is in the jug.
The Cold Stir setting spins the disc without heat for 60 seconds. Breville lists it for frothing milk for iced cappuccinos, blending syrups into iced chocolate or mocha, and stirring instant drink powders into milk or water. For hot chocolate, you start the frother first and then add cocoa or drinking chocolate slowly through the measuring cap. Breville warns that dense ingredients such as thick syrups and heavy powders can reduce the amount of foam.
Is the Breville Milk Café dishwasher safe and easy to clean?
Breville says the jug, lid, measuring cap and frothing discs can go in the dishwasher on the top shelf only, though it recommends washing the discs by hand to extend their life. The power base must never be immersed in water, and the outside of the jug has to be clean and dry before it goes back on the base. The manual says to clean the jug and disc immediately after every use to prevent milk residue building up, and its troubleshooting section lists burnt milk as a result of a jug that was not cleaned between uses. Boil-dry protection sounds three alerts if the jug overheats, and after consecutive batches Breville suggests letting the jug cool for about five minutes.
Breville Milk Café vs the PowerLix Milk Frother Pro
The two are different kinds of tool. The PowerLix Milk Frother Pro is a handheld battery-operated whisk that costs $25.99 and froths whatever jug or cup you already own. The Breville is a $199.95 appliance that heats the milk itself, holds a set temperature, and stops without supervision. A handheld whisk cannot heat milk, so you need a pan or a steam wand alongside it, while the Breville needs only a socket. The PowerLix is the smaller and cheaper choice if you warm milk elsewhere and only want foam. The Breville is the one to look at if you want hot milk and froth from one dial. It is also bulkier at 3.46 lbs and about ten inches tall, so it needs counter space. Compare it with the other electric milk frothers we rate if you are still deciding.
Is the Breville Milk Café BMF600XL worth it?
At $199.95 it costs far more than a handheld frother, so the question is how much milk you make. Its case rests on convenience: one dial, automatic shutoff at the temperature you set, a jug that comes off the base for pouring, two disc styles and a cold setting for iced drinks. Breville's one-year limited warranty is a standard length rather than a long one. Nobody has tested this frother for this page, so the figures above are Breville's own claims and say nothing about froth quality, noise or durability.
Who should buy the Breville Milk Café BMF600XL (and who should not)?
It suits a household that makes milk drinks most days, likes lattes or hot chocolate at home, and has no steam wand or a poor one. It also suits anyone who wants a hands-off way to warm and froth milk for an iced drink. It is a poor match for someone who wants to pour latte art from steamed microfoam, for a single cup now and then where a $25 whisk would do, and for anyone short of counter space. It is also not meant for cream, eggs, soup or heavy food, which the manual says the frother was not designed to whip or heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much milk can the Breville Milk Café BMF600XL froth?
Breville says not to exceed the CAPP/LATTE MAX marking, which is 16 fl oz (500 ml), for the best froth. The jug goes up to 25 fl oz (750 ml) for hot chocolate.
Can the Breville Milk Café make cold foam?
Breville lists a Cold Stir setting that froths milk for cold drinks such as an iced cappuccino. It spins the disc without heating and stops after 60 seconds.
Can I make hot chocolate in it?
Yes. Breville includes a measuring cap for adding cocoa, drinking chocolate and chai once mixing has started, and its recipe section covers hot chocolate. The manual says to add ingredients slowly and in small quantities.
Does it work with plant milks?
Breville says the frother is designed for milk and other dairy milk alternatives, and its guide lists soy, almond, oat and rice among suitable liquids. It also warns that some milks and brands froth more than others, and that some soy milks make very airy froth.
Is the jug dishwasher safe?
The jug, lid, measuring cap and frothing discs are dishwasher safe on the top shelf only. The power base is not and must never be immersed in water.
How long does it take to heat milk?
Breville says 2 to 7 minutes depending on the amount of milk. It stops itself at the temperature you set on the dial.
