Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob finished in black enamel, aimed at cooks who like a traditional flame but want something that looks smarter than a basic stainless-steel model. With four burners, sturdy cast iron pan supports and a powerful wok burner, it is designed to handle everything from weeknight pasta to quick stir-fries.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium camp, and this hob reflects that with its retro-inspired Victoria styling and Italian build. It is not the cheapest 60cm gas hob you can buy, but the specification and finish are a step up from no-frills options.
An average user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from existing owners is a strong sign that it delivers in day-to-day use, particularly on reliability, flame control and overall cooking experience.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits homeowners who want a smart-looking gas hob to complement a stylish kitchen, rather than a purely functional piece of metal. If you are updating a kitchen and already have other Smeg or Victoria range appliances, this will blend in beautifully.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it is ideal for small to medium households that regularly cook on the hob but do not need the extra space of a 75cm or 90cm model. There is enough room to handle several pans at once, but it still fits standard 60cm cut-outs.
The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner makes it a good choice for anyone who enjoys fast, high-heat cooking – think stir-fries, searing steaks or quickly reducing sauces. More occasional cooks will also appreciate that the controls are straightforward rotary dials with automatic ignition, so there is no learning curve.
Budget-wise, this is a mid to upper mid-range 60cm gas hob. It will appeal to buyers prepared to pay a bit more for design, solid build and the reassurance of a known premium brand rather than chasing the lowest possible price.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat when you need to get food on the table fast or want that proper sizzle in a pan. It is a real upgrade if you currently struggle to stir-fry or sear on a small standard burner.
The cast iron pan supports give the hob a sturdy, premium feel. They hold pans securely, cope well with heavier cookware and stand up better to long-term use than lightweight enamelled supports typically found on cheaper models.
Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary controls make the hob very easy to operate. A simple push-and-twist lights the burner without matches or separate spark buttons, and the front position keeps you from reaching over hot pans.
Safety is well covered with automatic safety shut off and flame failure devices. If a flame is accidentally blown out, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
Finally, the sleek black enamel surface and classic Victoria styling give it a more considered, coordinated look than standard hobs, especially in traditional or shaker-style kitchens.
There is no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you miss out on a couple of convenience and safety touches that some modern hobs offer, particularly useful in homes with young children.
The enamel surface, while attractive, will generally show spills and scratches sooner than some higher-end glass or steel tops, and it can require a bit more care to keep looking pristine.
Installation is not plug-and-play: it requires both a Gas Safe registered engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach a suitable plug or cable. That is standard for many gas hobs, but it does add to the overall cost.
At this price point you are paying partly for design and brand. If you only want a basic four-burner hob and do not care about styling or a wok burner, cheaper alternatives will do the job just as well.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward and reassuring to cook on. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out and easy to grip, so you can fine-tune the flame without leaning over boiling pots. Automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple twist, which quickly becomes second nature.
The four burners are spaced sensibly for a 60cm hob, with three different sizes to match small saucepans, medium pans and larger pots or woks. The heavy cast iron pan supports create a level, continuous surface, making it easier to slide pans around without feeling like they will tip.
Cleaning is typical of a gas hob with enamel: spills should be wiped up fairly promptly to avoid staining, but the pan supports lift off for a more thorough wipe-down of the surface. There are no fiddly touch controls to trap grime, just solid knobs that you can wipe over.
User feedback suggests lighting is reliable and heat control is smooth, so you can move from a fierce boil down to a gentle simmer without the flame cutting out. Combined with the built-in safety shut off and flame failure protection, it feels well suited to busy family cooking as well as more careful, hobby-style use.
Performance centres on the four gas burners and their power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The lower-powered burners are well suited to melting, simmering and delicate sauces, while the more powerful zones bring water to the boil quickly and keep large pans at a rolling boil without struggling.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the star of the show. Positioned to give good access with a large pan, it delivers strong, concentrated heat that makes a clear difference if you regularly cook in a wok or wide frying pan. Rapid heat-up times are a real benefit for stir-fries and flash-frying, and it also doubles as the go-to burner for big pots of pasta or stock.
Construction is solid, with cast iron pan supports that feel robust and give the hob a more professional feel compared with lightweight wire or enamelled grates. They cope better with heavy cast iron or large pans, and they help stabilise smaller pots too.
On the safety side, the hob includes an automatic safety shut off and a flame failure safety device on the burners. If the flame goes out unexpectedly, the gas cuts off, reducing the risk of unburned gas in the kitchen. Automatic ignition is integrated into the controls, so there is no separate sparker to break or misfire.
The hob runs on mains gas as standard but is both LPG compatible and convertible, with a kit included in the box. That flexibility makes it suitable for properties without mains gas or for future changes, such as moving the hob to a different property or refitting a kitchen in a more rural home.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits above basic entry-level gas hobs, reflecting both its brand and its specification. You are paying more than you would for a simple four-burner steel hob, but in return you get stronger pan supports, a powerful wok burner and a more considered, coordinated design.
Given its very strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews, owners generally feel they are getting what they paid for in terms of performance and build. The integrated safety features and Italian manufacture add further reassurance.
If you are working to a tight budget and purely want function, there are cheaper 60cm gas hobs that will boil and fry just fine. But if you value aesthetics, high-heat capability and a premium look to match the rest of your kitchen, this model offers fair value for money within the Smeg line-up and the wider mid to premium gas hob market.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that combines classic styling with solid everyday performance. Its four burners cover most household needs, while the ultra-rapid wok burner adds genuine extra capability for fast, high-heat cooking.
Build quality feels a step above budget models, thanks to cast iron supports and a neatly finished enamel surface, and the safety features are reassuring if several people use the kitchen. Automatic ignition and simple front controls keep it easy to live with, even for less confident cooks.
It is not the cheapest option, and the lack of extras like a timer or control lock may put off those wanting every modern convenience. However, for anyone upgrading a kitchen and looking for a stylish, reliable gas hob from a respected brand, the SR964NGH is a strong contender that should serve well for years.