The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports. It’s designed to bring Smeg’s retro styling into a standard-sized kitchen cut-out without overcomplicating things.
Sitting in the mid to upper end of typical 60cm gas hob pricing, it focuses on solid build quality, a powerful wok burner and simple rotary controls rather than flashy extras. With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners, it’s clearly gone down well with households looking for a dependable everyday cooker that still looks the part.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits anyone who wants a traditional gas cooking experience with a smarter, more premium finish than basic stainless steel models. If you like the idea of visible flames, instant heat and tactile dials, this hob will feel familiar straight away.
With four burners and a compact 60cm width, it’s ideal for flats, smaller family kitchens or galley-style layouts where worktop space is at a premium. You still get enough room to run a couple of pans, a frying pan and the wok burner at once, but it won’t overwhelm a modest worktop.
The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner makes it particularly appealing for stir-fry fans and anyone who regularly cooks in larger pans. It’s also LPG compatible with a conversion kit included, so it’s a strong choice for homes running on bottled gas, holiday lets or rural properties.
Budget-wise, it’s a step up from entry-level hobs, so it best suits buyers who are willing to pay a little more for design, sturdier pan supports and Italian build quality, rather than first-time buyers chasing the lowest price.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for searing, stir-fries and boiling large pots faster than standard burners. It turns this from a basic four-zone hob into something that feels more capable for keen home cooks.
Cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, high-end feel and help keep pans stable, even when they’re heavy or slightly off-centre. They’re more durable than the lightweight enamel grates you’ll find on many cheaper hobs and they complement the classic Victoria styling.
Everyday operation is straightforward thanks to front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition. You simply push and turn to light each burner, with no need for separate ignition buttons or matches.
Safety is well covered too, with automatic safety shut off and flame failure devices. If a flame is accidentally blown out or a pan boils over, the gas supply cuts off, which is reassuring in a busy family kitchen.
The hob is also LPG compatible and convertible with the kit included, giving flexibility if you move home or are installing it in a property without mains gas.
For the price, the feature set is quite traditional. There are no timers, no control panel lock and no modern extras such as touch controls or automatic cooking programmes. If you want more tech-led convenience, this hob may feel basic.
Because it uses an enamel surface rather than glass or stainless steel, it can show scratches or staining over time if not looked after, especially with heavy cast iron supports being lifted on and off for cleaning.
The front control position is convenient, but it also means they’re closer to small hands and potential spills. Without a control lock, households with very young children may need to be extra careful.
Finally, installation isn’t plug-and-play. You’ll need a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach a suitable plug or cable, which adds to the overall cost if you’re not already having other work done.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward to live with. The automatic ignition makes lighting quick, and the rotary dials give you precise, instant adjustment over the flame, which is one of the main reasons many cooks still prefer gas.
The layout of the four burners, including the larger wok zone, makes it easy to juggle a family meal – you can keep a sauce ticking over on a smaller burner while hitting full power on the wok for a quick stir-fry. The three different burner sizes provide suitable options for everything from small milk pans to wide frying pans.
Cast iron supports create a level, continuous surface across the hob, so sliding heavy pans around feels secure. They do add a bit of weight when you lift them for cleaning, but their robustness means they won’t flex or rattle.
Cleaning demands a little care, as with most enamel gas hobs. Spills are best wiped up once the hob has cooled, and you’ll want a non-abrasive cleaner to preserve the finish. The minimalist design and lack of fussy trim help keep wipe-downs relatively simple.
Because there are no displays, beeps or electronics to get used to, the learning curve is virtually non-existent. If you’ve ever cooked on gas before, you’ll be at home within minutes.
In performance terms, the burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers most everyday cooking tasks comfortably. The ultra-rapid burner is the star, giving that satisfying blast of heat you want for quick searing and fast boiling, while the smaller burners are better suited to simmering sauces or keeping food warm.
The hob surface is finished in black enamel, which helps tie it into the wider Smeg Victoria range of retro-styled appliances. It’s a practical choice too, as it disguises minor marks better than shiny stainless steel, though it still benefits from regular, gentle cleaning.
Cast iron pan supports not only improve stability but also help distribute heat more evenly under the pan base by keeping pans well-centred over the flame. Over time, their robustness makes them more resistant to warping compared with lighter alternatives.
From a safety perspective, the flame failure device and automatic safety shut off are important inclusions. If the flame goes out unexpectedly, gas won’t continue to flow, which is particularly reassuring in open-plan homes or if you’re prone to multitasking while cooking.
Although it doesn’t offer advanced features like timers, auto-cook settings or smart connectivity, it does cover the essentials that matter for gas cooking: instant ignition, clear manual control, reliable power and compatibility with both mains gas and LPG via the supplied conversion kit.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is positioned as a mid to premium 60cm gas hob. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner models, but they’re unlikely to match the combination of Smeg branding, classic styling, cast iron supports and powerful wok burner that this hob offers.
The two-year manufacturer warranty is reasonable for a built-in hob and suggests a decent level of confidence in the build quality. Coupled with the Italian manufacture, it feels like a product made to last rather than something you’ll be looking to replace quickly.
Owner feedback is very strong, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from a good number of reviews, which reinforces the sense that most buyers feel they’ve got what they paid for. If you value looks and sturdiness as much as cutting-edge features, the price is justified.
If your budget is tight and you simply need a functional gas hob, a cheaper, more basic model will cook just as effectively. But if you’re upgrading a kitchen and want a hob that looks and feels more premium without jumping to luxury pricing, this Smeg makes a convincing case.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-judged blend of classic gas cooking and premium touches. It delivers strong day-to-day performance, a genuinely useful wok burner and reassuring safety features, all wrapped in a stylish black enamel finish with sturdy cast iron supports.
It’s not packed with modern extras – there’s no timer, lock or smart tech – so it won’t suit anyone chasing the latest gadgets or maximum convenience. And the need for professional installation adds a bit to the overall outlay.
For households that want a reliable, good-looking 60cm gas hob from a respected brand, and who prefer straightforward knobs and visible flames over touch controls and screens, it’s an excellent choice that should serve you well for years.
