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 control with a touch of vintage Smeg styling. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary dials and cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to be a focal point in a classic or retro-inspired kitchen.
With four burners including a high-powered wok zone, automatic ignition and safety shut-off, it covers the essentials well rather than chasing flashy extras. The price sits firmly in premium territory for a 60cm gas hob, but you’re also paying for Smeg’s design and Italian build.
An average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from owners is a strong sign that day-to-day performance and reliability live up to expectations.
This hob suits style-conscious buyers who want a traditional-looking gas hob that still feels robust and modern in use. If you’re designing a classic or country-style kitchen and don’t want a plain stainless or glass hob breaking up the look, the Victoria range is a good fit.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s ideal for small to medium households who cook most days but don’t need a huge five- or six-burner layout. The ultra-rapid wok burner is particularly handy if you regularly stir-fry, sear steaks hard, or want pasta water boiling quickly on busy weeknights.
Budget-wise, this is a premium 60cm hob. It’s better suited to buyers who are prepared to pay extra for build quality, branded design and sturdy cast iron supports, rather than those simply looking for the cheapest way to get four gas rings.
It’s also a good choice for anyone moving from an older gas hob who wants something familiar and simple. There are no complicated touch controls or timers to learn – just clear rotary dials, automatic ignition and straightforward flame control.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, offering up to 3.3 kW of heat. That gives you the fast, intense flame you need for proper stir-fries and rapid boiling, something many basic four-burner hobs struggle with.
Cast iron pan supports run across the hob, giving a solid, stable base for everything from small milk pans to heavy casseroles. They also make it easy to slide pans between burners without lifting, which is handy when juggling multiple dishes.
Automatic ignition on the dials means no separate ignition button or matches – you simply turn and light in one movement. The front-mounted controls keep everything within easy reach without stretching over hot pans.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices on the burners and automatic safety shut-off. If a flame goes out unexpectedly, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The included LPG conversion kit is a real plus if you’re on bottled gas or planning a kitchen in an annex, outbuilding or rural property without mains gas.
For a premium hob, the feature set is quite straightforward. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no extra convenience features such as automatic simmer settings or digital displays, which some similarly priced rivals now include.
The enamel surface looks smart in black, but it won’t be as scratch-resistant as high-end glass or some stainless finishes, and it may show marks more readily if you’re not careful with heavy cast iron cookware.
The manufacturer warranty is two years, which is decent but not exceptional at this price point, especially when some competitors offer longer cover on built-in appliances.
Finally, as with all built-in gas hobs, installation isn’t plug-and-play: you’ll need a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach a plug or hard-wire the ignition, so factor that into the overall cost.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels reassuringly solid. The cast iron pan supports give instant confidence when you’re using heavier pans or moving a full pot from a smaller burner onto the wok zone. Once in place, pans feel stable with little wobble.
The front-mounted rotary dials are large and clearly marked, so it’s easy to see and feel how far you’re turning the flame up or down. Automatic ignition built into each control means lighting the burners is a one-handed job – especially useful if you’re holding a pan in the other hand.
With four burners and three different sizes, there’s a sensible layout for everyday cooking: gentle heat for sauces, mid-range for general frying and boiling, and the powerful wok burner when you need real punch. The flat 3 cm profile also helps pans sit nicely without feeling perched.
Cleaning is fairly typical for a gas hob. The pan supports lift off in sections so you can get to the enamel surface underneath. Being black, it hides light marks well but will show dried-on spills and streaks, so a quick wipe after cooking keeps it looking its best.
The built-in flame failure safety device works quietly in the background – you won’t notice it in use, but it adds peace of mind if a pan boils over or a draught blows out the flame.
At the heart of this hob is its burner setup. The power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers gentle simmering through to rapid, rolling boils. The ultra-rapid burner is noticeably stronger than standard rings, so you can get a wok smoking hot or bring large pots of water to the boil much faster than on entry-level hobs.
Three different burner sizes give you more control over matching pan to flame. Smaller burners are ideal for delicate sauces, porridge or keeping food warm without catching, while the mid-sized zones handle everyday tasks like pasta and stir-fries for two.
The enamel surface keeps the classic look of a traditional gas hob and blends neatly with other Victoria range appliances. Paired with the heavy cast iron supports, it feels built to last and more substantial than many thin, lightweight alternatives.
On the safety and usability side, you get automatic ignition, automatic safety shut off and flame failure safety devices on the burners. These are important fundamentals that help bring older-style gas control up to modern expectations.
For fuel flexibility, the hob is both LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, so it can run on bottled gas as well as mains. That makes it a versatile choice for rural homes, annexes or conversions where the gas supply may not be standard.
What you don’t get are smart or advanced features like timers, touch controls or child locks. This model sticks to traditional, mechanical controls, prioritising simplicity and reliability over extra tech.
This Smeg sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm, four-burner gas hob. You can certainly find cheaper options that will boil a pan of water just as effectively, but they’re unlikely to match the Victoria’s design, build quality and brand appeal.
Where it justifies its price is in the combination of solid cast iron supports, a genuinely powerful wok burner, integrated safety protections and the classic Smeg styling that ties in with matching ovens and cookers. For many kitchen projects, that cohesive look is a key part of the brief.
The 4.8 out of 5 user rating suggests owners feel they’re getting good performance and reliability for their money, even without high-tech extras. If you value timeless design and sturdy construction over smart features, the price will feel more reasonable. If you simply want the lowest-cost four-burner hob, this isn’t the model to go for.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, stylish 60cm gas hob that delivers strong everyday performance with a premium, traditional look. Its powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron pan supports and straightforward rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on if you appreciate the feel of real flame.
It doesn’t chase the latest tech – there’s no timer, lock or digital display – and the enamel surface needs a bit of care to keep looking pristine. The two-year warranty is competent rather than outstanding, and the overall package is priced above many functional rivals.
If you’re prioritising aesthetics, build quality and simple, reliable gas cooking, this hob is an excellent choice and fits beautifully into a Smeg Victoria-themed kitchen. If you want maximum features per pound or a more modern glass or induction setup, you may find better value elsewhere.