The Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef is a powerful, large-capacity food processor designed for serious home cooks, featuring a robust 1200-watt motor and a die-cast metal base. In contrast, the Breville BFP660SIL is a more compact and budget-friendly option with a 550-watt motor, making it better suited for everyday tasks and smaller kitchens.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Breville food processor for your kitchen.
Breville BFP660SIL
The Breville BFP660SIL is designed as a versatile and accessible food processor for the everyday home cook. It combines sufficient power and capacity for most common kitchen tasks with a compact footprint that's easy to store, making it a practical choice for smaller households or kitchens with limited counter space.
- What it is: A mid-range, 2.5-liter food processor designed for daily chopping, slicing, and mixing.
- Key features: A 550-watt motor, a 2.5-liter (approx. 2.6-quart) BPA-free work bowl, two speed settings plus a pulse function, and a reversible slicing/shredding disc.
- Price: Typically ranges from $150–$200.
- Dimensions: Approximately 11 x 8 x 8 inches.
- Materials/Construction: Features a durable BPA-free plastic work bowl and high-quality stainless steel blades.
- Pros: Affordable price point. Compact design is ideal for small kitchens. Simple, intuitive controls are easy to use. Dishwasher-safe parts for convenient cleanup.
- Cons: The 550-watt motor can struggle with heavy tasks like kneading dense dough. Smaller capacity may require working in batches. Fewer included attachments compared to premium models.
This model is ideal for individuals, couples, or small families who need a reliable and straightforward food processor for routine meal prep without taking up too much space.
Shop this product: breville.com/products/bfp660
Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef
The Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef is a high-performance food processor aimed at culinary enthusiasts and large families. With a massive 1200-watt motor, larger capacity, and a suite of attachments, it’s built to handle demanding tasks from kneading bread dough to precisely slicing vegetables with ease, setting a high bar for home kitchen appliances.
- What it is: A premium, high-capacity food processor for heavy-duty and versatile food prep.
- Key features: A powerful 1200-watt motor, a large 3.5-liter (approx. 3.7-quart) work bowl, five speed settings plus pulse, an assortment of attachments including a dedicated dough blade, and a wide feed chute.
- Price: Usually sells for between $300–$400.
- Dimensions: Approximately 13 x 9 x 9 inches.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a heavy-duty die-cast metal base for stability, reinforced BPA-free plastic components, and premium stainless steel cutting surfaces.
- Pros: Extremely powerful motor tackles any task effortlessly. Large bowl capacity is perfect for big batches. Highly versatile with numerous included attachments. Durable, robust construction ensures longevity.
- Cons: A significant investment at a much higher price point. Larger footprint requires more countertop and storage space. May be more powerful than necessary for basic kitchen needs.
The BFP800XL is the go-to choice for serious cooks who frequently process large quantities, work with tough ingredients, and demand professional-grade results in their home kitchen.
Shop this product: breville.com/products/bfp800
Breville BFP660SIL vs. BFP800XL Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The physical size and capacity are immediate differentiators. The BFP660SIL measures about 11 x 8 x 8 inches with a 2.5-liter bowl, making it a great fit for smaller kitchens where storage is a priority. Its capacity is well-suited for preparing meals for 1-3 people.
The BFP800XL is noticeably larger at around 13 x 9 x 9 inches and features a generous 3.5-liter bowl. This extra space is essential for anyone cooking for a large family, entertaining guests, or doing batch meal prep. The larger footprint requires dedicated counter or cabinet space, reflecting its more serious capabilities.
Performance & Power
Power is where the BFP800XL truly distances itself. Its 1200-watt induction motor provides commercial-level force, allowing it to knead heavy bread dough, pulverize nuts into butter, and chop dense vegetables smoothly without any sign of strain. It maintains its speed and power under heavy loads.
The BFP660SIL's 550-watt motor is more than capable for everyday tasks like making salsa, shredding cheese, or slicing vegetables. However, it can labor under the stress of thick doughs or extended processing times, making it better for lighter, more routine kitchen duties.
Materials & Construction
Both models use high-quality, BPA-free plastics for work bowls and food-contact parts. The primary difference in construction is the base. The BFP800XL features a heavy die-cast metal base, which provides exceptional stability during heavy-duty operations and contributes to its long-term durability. The BFP660SIL uses a lighter, durable plastic base that is perfectly adequate but lacks the substantial feel and vibration-dampening qualities of its premium counterpart.
Price & Value
With a price tag typically under $260, the BFP660SIL offers excellent value. It delivers Breville's trademark quality and reliable performance for common kitchen needs, making it a sensible purchase for most home cooks.
The BFP800XL costs significantly more, usually in the $300-$400 range. This price reflects its superior power, larger capacity, premium build, and added versatility from extra attachments. For avid home chefs who will use these features regularly, it represents a worthy investment in a kitchen workhorse that will last for years.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville BFP660SIL is the practical choice for individuals, couples, or small families. It excels at daily food prep and is perfect for those with limited space or a moderate budget. If your needs are primarily chopping vegetables, making dressings, and grating cheese, this machine is an efficient and reliable tool.
The Breville BFP800XL is designed for the passionate home cook, large families, and anyone who sees their food processor as a central part of their culinary process. If you bake bread, prepare large-volume recipes, or require the force to break down tough ingredients consistently, the extra power, capacity, and durability of the BFP800XL are not just a luxury - they’re a necessity.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville food processors are excellent machines, but they cater to very different kitchen needs and priorities.
Choose the Breville BFP660SIL if:
- You are cooking for a small household of 1-3 people.
- You have limited countertop or cabinet storage space.
- Your budget is around $200 or less.
- You need a machine for everyday tasks like chopping, shredding, and slicing.
Choose the Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef if:
- You regularly cook for a large family or entertain guests.
- You need a machine that can handle heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread dough.
- Versatility is key, and you want a range of attachments for different functions.
- Performance and long-term durability are your top priorities over budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville BFP660SIL and BFP800XL?
The biggest differences are motor power (550W vs. 1200W), bowl capacity (2.5L vs. 3.5L), price, and build materials. The BFP800XL is a larger, more powerful, and robust machine with a die-cast metal base, designed for heavy-duty use, while the BFP660SIL is a more compact and affordable option for everyday kitchen tasks.
Can the BFP660SIL handle kneading dough?
While it may handle very small, soft doughs, the BFP660SIL's 550-watt motor is not designed for heavy kneading and may strain or overheat. The BFP800XL, with its 1200-watt motor and dedicated dough blade, is purpose-built for this task and handles it with ease.
Is the BFP800XL worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious cook who frequently makes large meals, bakes, or processes tough ingredients, then yes. The immense power, larger capacity, and outstanding durability of the BFP800XL make it an investment that will save you time and deliver better results. For casual users, the extra cost is likely not justifiable.
Which Breville food processor is better for a small kitchen?
The BFP660SIL is the clear winner for small kitchens. Its smaller dimensions and lighter weight make it much easier to store and move around compared to the larger and heavier BFP800XL.
Are the bowls and attachments dishwasher safe?
For both models, the bowls, lids, and most plastic attachments are generally top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. However, the sharp blades and discs should be hand-washed to maintain their sharpness and integrity over time.
Is the BFP800XL's powerful motor very loud?
While the 1200-watt motor is powerful, the BFP800XL is surprisingly quiet for its capability. The heavy die-cast metal base helps absorb vibrations and dampen noise, making its operation relatively smooth and less jarring than you might expect.
What does the overload protection on the BFP800XL do?
The BFP800XL includes a safety feature that automatically shuts off the motor if it detects a potential overload or overheating, such as from processing an overly dense mixture. This protects the motor from damage and extends the life of the machine.
What is the warranty on these Breville food processors?
Both models typically come with a 1-year limited product warranty from Breville, covering defects in materials and workmanship. The high-powered motor in the BFP800XL often carries a longer warranty, so be sure to check the specific details at the time of purchase.
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