How to Steam Milk with Breville

As you begin to create creamy lattes, cappuccinos, and flat white brews, you’ll soon learn that there’s an art to how to steam milk with a Breville Espresso Machine. With these machines, you’ll be crafting café-style drinks at home easily and precisely. In this article, we’ll guide beginners and veteran steamers through step-by-step techniques, tips to achieve your perfect milk texture, and advice on avoiding mistakes that could lead to a less-than-ideal drink. 

Preparing Your Breville for Steaming

In the next section, we’ll discuss pre-steaming preparation knowledge like purging and positioning the steam wand, choosing the right milk and jug, and mastering temperature control.

Purging and Positioning the Steam Wand

Purging and positioning the steam wand are two important steps to keep in mind before steaming your milk. Purging the steam wand ensures a clean stream, and is a way to eliminate excess condensation before steaming that has built up since your last use. After steaming, purging can help internally clean the machine and remove milk residue.

Positioning the steam wand refers to tilting the steam wand so that it is angled and placed at the correct depth and spot for the best foaming and texture results. Let’s walk through the steps of purging (before and after steaming) and the elements of positioning the steam wand:

Purging the Steam Wand

Before Steaming

1. Turn on the machine and let it heat up 

2. Wipe down the steam wand with a damp cloth

3. Direct the steam wand back over the drip tray

4. Depending on your machine, you will turn a dial or open a lever to remove residual milk

5. Turn off the machine 

6. Place the milk jug in position and turn the steam on again for use

After Steaming

1. Wipe down the steam wand with a damp cloth

2. Activate steam for 1-2 seconds

3. Turn off the machine

Positioning the Steam Wand

Positioning of the steam wand involves three central elements, which all have their own intricacies. These aren’t foolproof tips for your own methods, but they describe the process at play. Let’s discuss them.

1. Depth of the wand in the milk 

1. Right below the surface of the milk, so it does not splatter during the stretching phase.

2. After the steam is on, gradually lower the jug until the tip reaches the surface.

3. Slightly deeper depth of milk for the texturing phase to create a proper blend.

2. Horizontal placement of the wand

1. Off-center during the stretching phase, 1-2 centimeters away from the wall.

2. Place about halfway between the wall of the jug and the center during the texturing phase.

3. This generates a whirlpool motion.

3. The angle

1. Slightly tilted angle, which facilitates circulation and maintains the rolling movement of the whirlpool.

2. You want a smooth whirlpool for a consistent texture.

Choosing the Right Milk and Jug

Just as creating the perfect brew requires quality ingredients, tools, and different techniques, the best frothing is dependent on the types of milk you use, container choices, and the kind of texture, flavor, and foam you’re looking to produce. Here are some tips about milk types and container choices when steaming milk:

Milk Types (Dairy and Non-Dairy)

• Whole Milk - Best for latte art, creamier and more stable microfoam, rich flavor

• 2% Milk - Creamier texture, lighter coffee flavor

• Skim Milk - Lighter, watery texture and slightly sweet taste

• Oat Milk - Creamy and rich foam, sweet and nutty 

• Almond Milk - Low foam, not ideal

• Coconut Milk - Creamy texture, plain flavor

Container Choices

• A stainless steel jug or pitcher will allow for a few more seconds to create a whirlpool before the milk comes to temperature.

• For a coffee drink that is 6-8 oz, use a 12-oz steaming jug

• For a coffee drink that is 12-16 oz, use a 20-oz steaming jug

• Always pour to the bottom of the jug’s spout

Mastering Temperature Control

Along with your container choice and positioning, temperature control is essential to steaming milk with your Breville espresso machine. There are not only ideal steaming temperature ranges, but also ways to judge temperature and know when you have overheated the milk. Here are some things to know in relation to temperature

Temperature Tips

• The ideal steaming temperature range is between 55-65 degrees Celsius (140-160 degrees Fahrenheit). That is when you’ll reach optimal sweetness, texture, and integration while still avoiding scalding and bitterness.

• Above that range is where lactose breaks down, leading to unappealing flavors.

• Excessive heat will reduce the milk’s ability to hold air and create smooth, stable foam.

• Nuances of flavors and aromas are removed with further heat.

Gauging Temperature with a Thermometer or Hand

• A digital thermometer with a clip should be below the surface of the milk but touching the bottom or sides.

• You can also buy Breville temperature control jugs and more advanced equipment to assist with texture.

• Stop steaming before you hit the temperature.

• “Touch method” - At the right temperature, the milk pitcher should be hot to the touch, but not painful. It should be uncomfortable.

And when you’re feeling comfortable enough with your steaming skills to start making more involved drinks, pick up one of Pesado’s specialty milk jugs, which are made for enabling you to create the most elaborate latte art.

Steaming Technique for Velvety Microfoam

In the next section, we’ll discuss steaming techniques in detail like the whirlpool motion, stretching vs. texturing the milk, and how to make the perfect finish.

Creating the Whirlpool Motion

The whirlpool motion (or vortex, as it’s often called) is critical to achieving your desired microfoam, but it might take some practice before you get the hang of it. We’ve discussed positioning, depth, and angle for the steam wand - but motion is something else to consider. Here’s how and why you should work on your whirlpool motion:

The Whirlpool Motion

• Once you’ve found the right angle, depth, and location, you’ll want to lightly adjust your milk jug until it creates a light whirlpool.

• This motion will break down bubbles and create denser, smoother microfoam

Why isn’t the Whirlpool Forming Correctly?

• The steam wand is pushed too deeply into the milk

• The steam wand isn’t adjusted as the milk volume increases

• Not paying attention to the temperature/milk level

• Introducing air past the first 15 to 20 seconds

Stretching vs. Texturing the Milk

The first and second stages of steaming (Stretching and texturing the milk) can be tricky for beginners. Let’s discuss the processes of the stretching phase and the texturing phase:

Stretching (or Aeration) Phase

• This is when air is introduced to milk during the steaming, which increases the milk’s volume and creates small bubbles.

• Happens in the first 3-5 seconds.

• It will produce a gentle hissing sound.

• You should not see any large bubbles yet.

• The volume will expand slightly.

Texturing (or Emulsifying) Phase

• When you texture the milk, it heats the milk and distributes microfoam evenly

• Creates a smoother, richer, and thicker result

• Silky, velvety texture forms

• The temperature reaches 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit

When to transition between Stretching and Texturing

• When the volume of milk has increased by half

• When your steaming container starts to feel lukewarm (around 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

Perfecting the Finish

You think you finally have the hang of every aspect of steaming milk, but there’s still the matter of knowing when it’s done and pouring. Many experienced baristas and coffee makers will tell you that pouring can be difficult on its own to master. Here are a few signs to look for to indicate that the microfoam is ready and tips for how to cleanly pour steamed milk into your coffee.

Signs Your Microfoam is Ready

• Shiny, glossy, wet paint-like texture

• Very tiny bubbles

• All one smooth texture

Pouring Tips

• Tap the jug on a flat surface to eliminate larger, unwanted bubbles

• Give the pitcher a swirl until the foam and steamed milk are fully combined, and the surface appears glossy

• Hold the pitcher at a slight angle and pour slowly, starting from a higher point and gradually moving closer

• Latte art should be made with cold milk with higher fat content

• Begin pouring slowly and then speed up

• Focus on controlling your speed, angle, and height

When you want efficiency and precision to match your efforts to make the right steamed milk, Pesado has the high-quality, durable tools you need to create the perfect brew accompaniment.

Elevate Your Breville Creations with Perfectly Steamed Milk

Whether you’re an aspiring latte artist or on the search for the ultimate coffee drink, learning how to effectively steam milk is an important skill that can add an extra accent to your brew. It might not work the first time, but by discovering the right combination of angle, depth, motion, and the precise temperature for your steamed milk, you’ll be able to see your potential. Consistency comes with practice, and technique matters more than rushing when it comes to coffee.

To improve your brewing consistency and regularly achieve café-quality results at home, explore all of Pesado’s precision coffee tools and accessories. With superior customer support and competitive price points, Pesado’s distribution, dosing, and extraction implements, a refined steamed milk can be another rewarding step in your continuing coffee journey.