Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with a traditional look and modern safety features, finished in a smart black enamel. With four burners, including a powerful wok burner, it’s designed to handle everything from weekday suppers to more adventurous cooking.
Smeg sits firmly at the premium end of the market, and this hob feels aimed at buyers who care as much about how their kitchen looks as how it performs. At this price, it’s not the cheapest 60cm gas hob, but the specification is stronger than many entry-level models.
Owners clearly rate it highly: with an average user score of 4.8 out of 5 from a solid number of reviews, it’s a well-loved choice for those wanting a reliable, good-looking gas hob.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for anyone planning a traditionally styled or period-inspired kitchen who doesn’t want to compromise on performance. The black enamel finish and chunky cast iron pan supports blend particularly well with range-style cookers and classic cabinetry.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s a good fit for small to medium households that cook most days. The layout and burner power range (1.05 to 3.3 kW) suit everyday tasks like boiling, simmering and frying, but also occasional batch cooking when you need a few pans on the go.
If you love stir-fries or regularly cook with larger pans, the ultra-rapid wok burner will appeal. It gives you quick, intense heat that standard burners can’t match, so keen home cooks and food enthusiasts will get the most from it.
Budget-conscious buyers who just want the cheapest possible hob may find this overkill. But if you’re willing to pay a bit more for robust build quality, Italian styling and better-than-basic performance, it’s a strong contender.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers up to 3.3 kW of heat – ideal for fast stir-frying, searing steaks or rapidly bringing large pots of water to the boil.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium, cooker-style feel and provide a stable base for heavy pans, reducing the risk of wobbling or tipping. They’re more durable than basic enamel supports and should cope well with daily use.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary controls makes lighting the burners quick and straightforward – no separate ignition button to press or matches to hunt for.
On the safety front, the flame failure device and automatic safety shut-off are big positives. If a flame goes out unexpectedly, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
The hob is also LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit. That’s a real advantage if you’re in a property without mains gas or planning a kitchen in an annex or outbuilding.
For the price, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no extra conveniences like a digital display or automatic cooking programmes, which some rival hobs now offer.
The enamel surface, while smart and in keeping with the Victoria style, will generally mark and scratch more easily than glass or some stainless finishes if you’re not careful with heavy pans.
Cast iron supports are robust but can be relatively heavy and a little awkward to lift off for cleaning, especially compared with lighter enamel supports on cheaper models.
The standard 2-year warranty is decent but not exceptional for a premium brand. Some competitors in this price bracket offer longer cover when you register, so it’s worth checking if that matters to you.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be simple and familiar to use. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to reach and intuitive, so you can adjust the flame precisely without stretching over hot pans.
Automatic ignition means you just turn the knob and the burner lights – handy when you’re juggling several tasks at once. Once lit, the burners cover a good range of heat output, from gentle simmering on the smaller zones to high heat on the wok burner.
The cast iron pan supports create a continuous, level surface, making it easier to slide pans from one burner to another without lifting. That’s particularly useful when you’re moving a heavy pot to a lower heat.
Cleaning is straightforward but a little more involved than on a flat glass hob. You’ll need to lift off the pan supports and burner caps, then wipe down the enamel surface. Spills should be tackled reasonably quickly to avoid staining the black finish. The slim 3cm profile means it sits neatly into most worktops without looking bulky.
Installation requires both an electrician (to connect the ignition) and a Gas Safe registered engineer for the gas connection, which is typical for a gas hob of this type.
Performance-wise, the burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers most cooking tasks comfortably. The smaller burner is well suited to slow simmering sauces or melting chocolate without scorching, while the mid-sized zones handle everyday boiling and frying.
The ultra-rapid burner is the star of the show. It provides the intense heat you need for proper wok cooking, as well as rapid boiling for pasta or potatoes. If you frequently cook for family or entertain, this burner alone can make meal prep noticeably quicker.
Smeg has included several important safety features. Flame failure safety shuts off the gas if the flame is accidentally extinguished, and the automatic safety shut off adds another layer of protection – valuable in homes with children or forgetful cooks.
The hob surface is enamel, which ties in nicely with the Victoria line’s classic aesthetic. Paired with the heavy cast iron pan supports, it gives the hob a solid, range-cooker feel. While there are no advanced smart features, auto programmes or touch controls, the straightforward rotary controls and automatic ignition will appeal to those who prefer simple, reliable hardware.
Being LPG compatible with a conversion kit included is an important practical feature. It means the SR964NGH can be installed in properties without mains gas, such as rural homes or holiday properties, without needing to buy a different model.
At £379, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits at the pricier end of standard 60cm gas hobs. You’re paying for the Smeg badge, the retro-inspired Victoria styling and the more substantial build quality, rather than a long list of modern electronic features.
For many buyers, that trade-off will be worth it. The cast iron supports, solid feel and Italian-made construction should stand up well to years of daily use, and the powerful wok burner adds genuine cooking capability that cheaper hobs often lack.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5, backed by multiple reviews, suggests owners feel they’ve had good value from it in real kitchens. If your priority is a stylish, dependable hob to match a premium kitchen, it represents fair value. If you simply want the lowest price or more tech-led features, you’ll find cheaper or more gadget-heavy alternatives elsewhere.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, attractive gas hob that blends classic styling with reliable everyday performance. Its standout wok burner, robust cast iron supports and solid safety credentials make it a strong choice for keen home cooks who favour gas.
It’s not packed with advanced electronics or smart features, and the enamel surface demands a little care to keep looking its best. You’re also paying a premium compared with very basic 60cm hobs.
If you’re creating a traditional or country-style kitchen and want a hob that looks the part, feels sturdy and delivers powerful heat where it counts, this Smeg is easy to recommend. Those on tight budgets or chasing cutting-edge tech might be better off with a more feature-laden or lower-cost alternative.