Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that combines traditional styling with a straightforward, family-friendly layout. Finished in black enamel with chunky rotary dials and solid cast iron pan supports, it’s clearly aimed at buyers who want a classic look rather than ultra-modern glass and touch controls.
With four burners including a powerful wok burner, it covers most day-to-day cooking needs with ease. Automatic ignition, flame failure safety cut-off and LPG compatibility keep it both convenient and flexible. A strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from owners suggests it’s performing well in real kitchens, especially for those who value reliability and simplicity over flashy extras.
Sitting at the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, you’re paying for Smeg’s build quality and design heritage as much as the spec sheet, but the feedback from users indicates that most feel it justifies the investment.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly and want a hob that feels solid, dependable and built to last. If you like the idea of a traditional, range-style look without taking up the space of a full range cooker, this slots neatly into a standard 60cm cut-out while keeping the vintage Smeg aesthetic.
It suits keen home cooks who often use multiple pans at once. The four-burner layout, with three different burner sizes and an ultra-rapid wok burner, makes it easy to juggle rice, sauces and a stir-fry together. If you frequently cook in large pots or a wok, that dedicated high-output burner will be a real advantage.
Budget-wise, this is a premium option rather than an entry-level hob. It makes most sense if you’re renovating a kitchen, matching other Smeg Victoria appliances, or simply want something that feels a step up from basic stainless models.
It’s also a sensible choice for anyone who values safety and straightforward operation. Front-mounted rotary dials, automatic ignition and flame failure devices keep everything intuitive, so it works just as well for confident cooks as for those who just want a reliable, no-nonsense hob.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing meat and bringing large pans of water to the boil faster than standard burners.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a substantial, professional feel and hold pans securely in place. They’re more durable than lightweight enamel supports and cope well with heavier cookware.
Ease of use is a strong point. The front-positioned rotary dials are clear, tactile and easy to reach, while automatic ignition means you can light each burner in one smooth movement without juggling matches or a lighter.
Safety is well covered for a gas hob, thanks to flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off. If a flame goes out, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy households.
LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included adds flexibility. If your kitchen uses bottled gas rather than mains, you won’t need to source extra parts.
Finally, the slim 3cm profile and 60cm width make it a straightforward swap for most existing hobs, and the two-year manufacturer’s warranty provides a decent level of backup.
For a 60cm hob at this price, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no advanced extras like automatic simmer settings or smart connectivity, which some similarly priced rivals now offer.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the classic look, can show scratches and marks more readily than some modern tempered glass tops if not cared for properly, and may need a bit more attention to keep it looking pristine.
Front-mounted controls are convenient, but they do sit closer to the heat and to splashes from large pans at the front. Regular cleaning around the knobs will be important to keep them in good condition.
A two-year warranty is reasonable but not outstanding for a premium-brand built-in appliance; some competitors offer longer cover, which may matter if you’re planning a long-term kitchen investment.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels straightforward and reassuringly solid. The cast iron pan supports give a level, stable surface across the whole hob, so sliding heavy pans from one burner to another feels secure rather than wobbly.
Automatic ignition on each burner makes starting cooking quick and fuss-free. You press and turn the rotary dial and the burner sparks into life, with a clear, progressive flame that’s easy to fine-tune. The burner range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW means you can move from a gentle simmer to a powerful boil without hunting for the “right” zone.
Cleaning is relatively simple for a traditional gas design. The pan supports lift off, and the enamel surface can be wiped down once cooled. You’ll want to keep on top of spills, especially around the front controls, but there are no awkward recesses or fiddly touch panels to worry about.
Because it’s a standard 60cm integrated hob, it doesn’t dominate the worktop. The low-profile design helps it blend into both modern and classic kitchens, particularly if paired with other black or Victoria-series Smeg appliances.
Performance centres around the four gas burners, with three different sizes to match different pan diameters. The 3.3 kW ultra-rapid burner is the workhorse for high-heat tasks: it brings large pans up to temperature quickly and has enough punch for authentic wok cooking when paired with a suitable pan.
The remaining burners cover lower and medium heat up to around 1.05 kW at the bottom end, giving you good control for simmering sauces, gently melting chocolate or keeping food warm without scorching. The responsiveness of gas means changes in the dial position translate to immediate changes in flame size, something many keen cooks still prefer over electric.
From a safety perspective, the inclusion of a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off on a traditional hob is reassuring. If a pan boils over or a draught blows the flame out, the gas supply is cut, reducing the risk of unburnt gas entering the room.
Build and usability features are deliberately simple rather than tech-heavy. The enamel surface is robust and suits the vintage look, while the cast iron supports echo what you’d see on a range cooker. There are no digital displays or touch sliders; instead, the rotary controls at the front give you precise, familiar control that most users will be comfortable with straight away.
Installation features are practical too. The hob is LPG compatible and convertible, with the kit included, and its 3-amp fuse rating and requirement for both an electrician to attach the plug or cable and a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection are standard for this type of appliance. Once in place, it should feel like a solid, long-term fixture rather than something you’ll want to upgrade quickly.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits towards the upper end of the price range for a 60cm gas hob. You’re not paying for cutting-edge technology or extra burners, but for design, build quality and brand reputation.
In terms of features, it offers what most cooks genuinely use day to day: a strong wok burner, solid pan supports, automatic ignition and good safety provision. Compared to cheaper models, you miss out on little that will change how you actually cook, but you do gain a more substantial feel and a coordinated look if you already own other Smeg appliances.
The high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 and the fact that multiple owners have reviewed it positively support the idea that most buyers feel it has been a worthwhile purchase. If you’re on a strict budget, you can certainly find functional 60cm hobs for less, but if you value style and sturdiness and expect to keep it for many years, the price is easier to justify.
Overall, it offers good – if not outstanding – value for money, particularly for those set on a classic Smeg aesthetic and a reliable everyday performer.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed, traditional 60cm gas hob that prioritises solid construction, simple controls and a strong wok burner over flashy extras. It looks and feels like a quality piece of kit, and owner reviews suggest it delivers consistently in everyday use.
It’s best suited to households that cook regularly, appreciate classic styling and want a hob that feels robust under heavy pans. If you’re upgrading a tired built-in hob as part of a kitchen refresh or matching other Smeg Victoria appliances, it fits the brief very well.
If you’re more interested in advanced features such as timers, touch controls or smart connectivity, or you simply want the lowest possible price, there are more modern or budget-friendly alternatives. But if you value build quality, straightforward operation and that distinctive Smeg look, this hob is an excellent choice that should serve you reliably for years.