Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob aimed at anyone who wants traditional gas cooking wrapped in a smart, vintage-inspired design. With four burners, sturdy cast iron pan supports and a powerful wok burner, it covers the essentials for most households.
Smeg is a premium brand, and this model follows that pattern with a price that sits towards the upper end of standard 60cm gas hobs. You’re paying as much for the design and build as for the spec sheet.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a good number of reviews, suggesting that day-to-day performance and usability largely live up to the price tag.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits style-conscious buyers who want a classic-looking hob that still feels solid and dependable. If your kitchen leans towards a traditional or shaker design, the black enamel surface and front-mounted rotary dials will fit in neatly.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s ideal for small to medium households cooking most days of the week. The inclusion of a high-output wok burner makes it particularly appealing if you regularly stir-fry, sear steaks or need rapid boiling.
This is a premium-priced 60cm hob, so it’s best suited to mid-range and higher budgets rather than the most cost-conscious renovators. It’s a strong option if you’re upgrading appliances as part of a new kitchen and want something that looks and feels a cut above basic stainless steel hobs.
Because the controls are simple rotary dials with automatic ignition and there are no complex touch panels or timers, it’s well suited to anyone who values straightforward, fuss-free operation — from confident cooks to those moving up from an older basic hob.
The powerful wok burner is the standout feature here. It delivers quick, intense heat up to 3.3kW, which makes fast stir-fries, rapid boiling and high-heat searing much easier than on hobs with only standard burners.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a sturdy, professional feel. They hold heavier pans securely and cope well with regular use, so you’re less likely to experience wobbling pots or supports that wear quickly.
Automatic ignition on all burners means you simply turn the rotary dials to spark the flame — no separate ignition button or matches needed. The front-mounted controls are easy to see and reach, which is convenient when juggling multiple pans.
Safety is well covered for a traditional gas hob. Automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices help cut the gas supply if the flame goes out, offering extra reassurance in busy family kitchens.
LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included makes this a flexible choice if your home runs on bottled gas rather than mains, or if you’re planning a kitchen in an outbuilding or holiday property.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you miss out on some of the convenience and safety features found on more modern gas and induction hobs. Households with curious children may prefer additional lock functions.
The enamel surface looks smart but typically needs a bit more care to keep it looking pristine compared with some easier-wipe glass or stainless finishes. Spills left to dry can be more stubborn to remove around the pan supports.
At this price, the feature set is relatively traditional. There are no smart features, no automatic cooking programmes and no flexible cooking zones, so you are mainly paying for build quality and design rather than cutting-edge tech.
The standard 2-year manufacturer warranty is decent but not exceptional for a premium-priced appliance. Some rivals in a similar price bracket offer longer cover.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is much like using a well-made classic gas hob, but with a few thoughtful touches that make daily cooking smoother. The automatic ignition works as you turn each rotary dial, so getting a flame is quick and intuitive.
The four burners are laid out to give a good mix of sizes, with the ultra-rapid wok burner providing a clear go-to zone for your largest pans. The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface, so you can slide pans between burners without lifting them — handy when you’re managing a busy dinner.
Front-mounted controls mean you don’t have to reach across hot pans to adjust the heat, which feels safer and more comfortable. The dials themselves are simple and clearly marked, so judging simmer vs full power soon becomes second nature.
Cleaning is fairly typical for a gas hob. Removing the cast iron supports and burner caps allows you to wipe down the enamel surface, but you’ll want to stay on top of spills to avoid baked-on marks. The low 3cm profile helps it sit neatly into the worktop, giving a streamlined look once installed.
Installation should be straightforward for professionals, but you will need both a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, so factor that into your plans.
In performance terms, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH focuses on strong, consistent gas cooking rather than flashy extras. The burner power range from 1.05kW up to 3.3kW covers everything from gentle simmering of sauces to rolling boils and fast stir-fries.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the performance highlight. Positioned to make good use of larger pans, it delivers the strong flame needed for authentic wok cooking and speedy boiling, which can noticeably reduce cooking times compared with basic four-burner hobs that only offer standard burners.
The three different burner sizes give you flexibility when matching pans to flame size. This helps with both control and efficiency — small pots can sit over a lower-output burner for delicate tasks, while bigger pots and frying pans go on the more powerful zones.
Cast iron supports not only feel substantial but also distribute weight evenly, which is particularly helpful when using heavy casserole dishes or large stockpots. Combined with the enamel surface, the hob has a traditional, slightly retro aesthetic in keeping with Smeg’s Victoria range.
Safety features are well covered for a gas hob of this type. Automatic ignition on all burners, an automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices all work together to reduce the risk of gas escaping without a flame, offering peace of mind without adding complexity to the controls.
With a selling price around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market. On paper, the feature set is solid but not especially high-tech, so its value comes from design, build quality and brand rather than cutting-edge functions.
If you primarily want the cheapest way to get four gas burners, there are more affordable options that will handle basic cooking just as well. However, if you appreciate Smeg’s styling, prefer robust cast iron supports and want a high-output wok burner, the price becomes easier to justify.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests owners generally feel they’ve got their money’s worth, especially in terms of everyday performance and the premium look. Factor in LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included and a 2-year warranty, and it presents as a good — if not bargain — buy for those investing in a more upmarket kitchen.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a handsome, well-built 60cm gas hob that combines classic looks with reliable, powerful cooking. The wok burner, cast iron pan supports and straightforward rotary controls give it the feel of a serious but user-friendly piece of kit.
It doesn’t try to compete with induction or high-end smart hobs on technology. Instead, it focuses on doing traditional gas cooking very well, with sensible safety features and the flexibility to run on LPG if needed. The main trade-offs are the premium price, the lack of extra features like timers or child locks, and the usual cleaning demands of an enamel gas surface.
If you’re designing a stylish kitchen, cook regularly and want a hob that feels substantial and looks the part, this Smeg is an excellent choice. Budget buyers and those chasing advanced features may want to look elsewhere, but for many households the blend of design, everyday usability and owner satisfaction will be worth the investment.