Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that mixes traditional styling with a straightforward, cook-focused feature set. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it is designed to complement Smeg’s Victoria ovens and range cookers.
This is a four-burner hob with automatic ignition, a powerful wok burner and front-mounted rotary controls, aimed at home cooks who prefer the responsiveness of gas over induction. It sits in the mid to upper end of the gas hob market, reflecting Smeg’s premium positioning and Italian build.
With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 user rating from owners, it’s clearly a well-regarded option for those who want something that feels solid and looks the part, without straying into overly complex features.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook regularly and value the instant control of gas. With four burners and a dedicated wok zone, it’s a good fit for couples and families who juggle multiple pans most evenings.
Stylistically, it’s ideal if you’re creating a more traditional or country-style kitchen, or you already own Smeg Victoria appliances and want a matching hob. The black enamel surface and chunky cast iron supports make it more of a design feature than a purely functional slab of metal.
Budget-wise, this is a mid to premium choice rather than an entry-level hob. You’re paying for the build quality, design and brand reputation more than for smart extras. That makes it best for buyers who plan to keep their hob for many years and don’t mind spending a little more for something that feels substantial.
If you’re a keen cook who enjoys stir-fries, searing and using larger pans, the ultra-rapid wok burner will be particularly appealing. First-time buyers or those upgrading from a very basic hob will also appreciate the simple rotary controls and automatic ignition, which keep day-to-day use straightforward.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the standout feature, delivering quick, intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing steaks or rapidly bringing large pots to the boil. It gives you the kind of punch that many basic four-burner hobs lack.
Cast iron pan supports add a sense of solidity and quality. They hold pans securely, cope well with heavy cookware and help spread heat evenly, which is reassuring if you’re regularly using large pots or cast iron pans.
The layout is conventional and easy to understand, with four burners and simple front-mounted rotary dials. Automatic ignition means you just twist and go, without fumbling with matches or separate ignition buttons.
Safety is sensibly covered with a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off, so the gas supply is cut if the flame goes out. That’s particularly welcome in busy family kitchens.
Finally, the 60cm width and slim 3cm profile make it a straightforward replacement for most standard hobs, so it should slot into existing cut-outs with minimal fuss for a qualified installer.
For the price, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, control panel lock or clever cooking aids, which some similarly priced or cheaper hobs now offer, especially in the induction space.
The enamel surface, while attractive, typically shows scratches and marks more readily than some modern glass or stainless finishes and can take a little more care to keep looking pristine, especially around the burners.
Front-mounted controls are easy to reach, but they’re also more exposed to splashes and spills from the front burners, which may mean more frequent cleaning and can get in the way with very large pans at the front.
The standard 2-year warranty is reasonable but not outstanding for a premium-brand built-in appliance; some rivals offer longer cover on parts or labour.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is about as straightforward as a hob gets. The automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple twist of the dial, and the rotary controls offer intuitive flame adjustment, from a gentle simmer through to a full blast for rapid boiling.
The four burners are arranged to give you a good mix of heat outputs, with three different burner sizes suited to everything from small saucepans to large stockpots. The wok burner stands out for its sheer power, and it’s positioned so that big pans feel stable on the cast iron trivet.
Cast iron supports provide a continuous cooking surface, making it easy to slide pans between burners without lifting. They are weighty, so you don’t feel them flex, but they do add a bit of heft when it’s time to lift them off for cleaning.
Cleaning itself is typical for a gas hob: the enamel surface can be wiped down with a soft cloth and suitable cleaner once cool, and the pan supports and burner caps can be removed for a more thorough clean. Because there’s no touch control panel or digital display, there are fewer crevices for grime to hide in, but spills around the knobs will still need regular attention.
Installation requires both a Gas Safe engineer and an electrician to connect the ignition, and the hob can be converted for LPG use with the supplied kit, which is useful in properties without mains gas.
Performance-wise, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH focuses on delivering reliable, controllable heat rather than headline-grabbing technology. The burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3kW covers gentle simmering through to high heat cooking, so you can handle everything from melting chocolate to fast pasta nights.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the main attraction. It’s specifically designed for quick, intense heat, meaning your stir-fries stay crisp rather than stewing, and large pots of water come to the boil noticeably faster than on a standard burner. For enthusiastic home cooks, that extra power makes a real difference.
Three different burner sizes give you flexibility: small burners for sauces and low-and-slow cooking, medium burners for everyday tasks, and the large wok burner for high-output jobs. This variety makes it easier to match pan size to flame size, improving efficiency and control.
In terms of features, the hob sticks to the essentials but does them properly. Automatic ignition on all burners is built in, so there’s no separate spark button. Flame failure safety devices on the burners and automatic safety shut off provide peace of mind, especially in households with children or anyone who might be distracted while cooking.
The enamel surface and cast iron pan supports are more about durability and aesthetics than added functionality, but they do give the hob a robust, premium feel. There’s no timer, no digital display and no child lock, which keeps everything simple but means you miss out on some of the convenience features that appear on more modern, tech-led hobs.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is priced as a mid to premium gas hob, reflecting its brand, build quality and design rather than a long list of advanced features. If you compare it to more basic four-burner hobs, you are paying extra, but you gain a stronger wok burner, more substantial pan supports and a more considered aesthetic.
Its excellent user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests that most owners feel they’ve had good value, especially when you factor in the Italian build and the cohesive look with other Smeg Victoria appliances. For many, the pleasure of using something solid and well-finished day after day will justify the extra spend.
If your priority is maximum functionality per pound and you don’t mind a plainer design, there are cheaper gas hobs that will do a similar basic job. However, if you want a traditional-looking hob with a powerful burner, strong safety features and a premium brand badge, this model offers solid value for money within that niche.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed, traditional four-burner gas hob that prioritises solid performance, robust build and classic styling over cutting-edge tech. The ultra-rapid wok burner, cast iron pan supports and intuitive rotary controls combine to make everyday cooking feel easy and assured.
It’s not the right choice if you’re hunting for the latest smart features, integrated timers or touch controls, and the enamel finish will reward regular cleaning. But for anyone who loves the look of the Victoria range, wants dependable gas performance and is happy with a simple, tactile interface, it’s a very appealing option.
Overall, this is a strong, well-loved hob for style-conscious households that cook frequently and value a powerful burner and reassuring build quality above bells and whistles.