Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends classic styling with solid everyday performance. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to complement traditional and shaker-style kitchens while still feeling robust and modern.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, automatic ignition and proper safety features, this is very much a mid-range, premium-branded hob aimed at keen home cooks. It’s not the cheapest 60cm gas hob you can buy, but the specification and finish go beyond entry-level options.
Owners clearly rate it highly: with an average user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 16 reviews, feedback is strongly positive, suggesting that real-world performance matches the promise on paper.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook regularly and want something sturdier and smarter than a basic stainless-steel hob. If you enjoy making sauces, stews and one-pan dishes during the week, but also break out the wok or large pans at the weekend, the four-burner layout with a dedicated wok burner is a strong fit.
It’s ideal for small to medium-sized kitchens where a standard 60cm cut-out is required. You get three different burner sizes to match small milk pans through to wide frying pans, so it adapts well to everyday family cooking without hogging worktop space.
Budget-wise, this model sits in the mid to upper mid-range for a 60cm gas hob. It’s best suited to buyers who are willing to pay a bit more for a premium brand, better build quality and a more traditional, coordinated look, especially if you already own or are considering other Smeg Victoria appliances.
It will also appeal to people who prefer straightforward, tactile controls rather than touch panels. The front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition make it a comfortable choice for first-time gas hob users as well as more experienced cooks who want instant flame control.
The standout feature is the dedicated wok burner, delivering quick, intense heat up to 3.3 kW. This makes stir-fries, searing and fast boiling noticeably quicker than on a standard medium burner, and is a real asset if you often cook larger portions.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium, professional feel. They provide a stable base for heavy pots and large pans, reducing the chance of wobbling or tipping, and they are more durable than the lightweight enamel supports found on cheaper models.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary controls means you simply turn the knob and the flame lights, with no need for separate spark buttons or matches. Combined with the front control position, it’s easy to reach and intuitive to use.
Safety is well covered too. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off cut the gas supply if a flame goes out, offering extra peace of mind for busy family kitchens.
Finally, LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included makes this hob versatile if your home runs on bottled gas or you plan to move and may need that flexibility later.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you’ll have to rely on an external timer and take extra care if there are inquisitive children around the kitchen.
While the enamel surface looks smart, it’s generally a little more prone to showing marks and may need more regular wiping than some higher-end glass or stainless finishes to keep it looking its best.
The specification is focused on traditional gas cooking rather than smart features. You don’t get extras like digital displays, automatic cooking programmes or flex-style zones, which some similarly priced hobs now offer.
Installation will require both a Gas Safe registered engineer and an electrician to attach the power supply cable, adding to the overall cost if you’re upgrading from an old like-for-like hob.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be simple and predictable. The four-burner layout is familiar: you get a compact burner for gentle simmering, standard burners for general cooking, and the ultra-rapid burner for tasks that need power.
The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to reach without leaning over hot pans. Flame adjustment is smooth, so moving from a fierce boil down to a steady simmer is straightforward, even for less experienced cooks.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, flat surface across the hob, making it easier to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting. Their weight helps keep them secure during cooking, though it does mean they’re a bit heavier when you lift them off for cleaning.
Cleaning itself is relatively straightforward: the enamel surface is flat and the pan supports lift off in sections. There are no fiddly digital controls or touch zones to wipe around, though as with any black enamel, fingerprints and spills will show more clearly if you don’t stay on top of wiping it down.
Because it’s a traditional gas hob without fans or motors, noise is minimal and you’ll only hear the soft sound of the flame. That makes it easy to hold a conversation in an open-plan kitchen while you cook.
In terms of raw performance, the SR964NGH covers a useful power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The lower-output burner is ideal for simmering sauces, melting butter or keeping food warm without catching, while the standard burners handle most everyday pots and pans comfortably.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the star of the show. Positioned so you can comfortably use large, rounded-base woks or wide stock pots, it delivers the intense, even heat needed for proper stir-frying and fast boiling. For busy weeknights, that extra power can shave minutes off cooking times.
The hob surface is made from black enamel, which helps tie in with the wider Smeg Victoria range and offers a more classic look than stainless steel. Underneath the style, you still get practical benefits such as robust cast iron pan supports and clear burner layouts.
Safety has been given sensible attention. The flame failure safety device cuts the gas if the flame goes out unexpectedly, such as from a pan boiling over, while automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection. For families or shared homes, these are reassuring features.
Although the feature set is more traditional than high-tech, automatic ignition, LPG convertibility and a 2-year manufacturer warranty round out a well-specified hob. Within a competitive gas hob market, this model leans on Smeg’s build quality and design rather than gimmicks, and for many buyers that will be exactly what they want.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits above the price of many basic 60cm gas hobs, reflecting its premium brand, build quality and more traditional styling. You’re paying for the Smeg name, the cast iron supports and the powerful wok burner as much as for the core functionality.
For buyers simply wanting the cheapest way to boil pasta, there are more affordable options that will do the job. However, if you cook frequently, appreciate stronger burners and want a hob that feels sturdy and looks the part in a more classic kitchen, the price becomes easier to justify.
The strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating suggests that most owners feel they’ve received good value, particularly when you factor in the 2-year manufacturer warranty and flexibility of LPG conversion. Overall, it offers solid value for those prioritising quality and design over rock-bottom cost.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, attractive 60cm gas hob that delivers dependable cooking performance with a premium, traditional look. The powerful wok burner, cast iron pan supports and intuitive rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on, especially if you use a mix of pan sizes and enjoy higher-heat recipes.
It’s not packed with smart technology and it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it focuses on doing the basics very well, adding sensible safety features and a strong build. The enamel surface and lack of timer or control lock may put off some, and there are cheaper hobs if your budget is tight.
If you’re upgrading a standard gas hob and want something that feels more substantial, coordinates with classic kitchen styling and offers more punch from its burners, this Smeg is a very strong candidate. For style-conscious home cooks who value reliability and ease of use, it’s an excellent choice.