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 gas cooking with a touch of retro style. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports and front-mounted rotary dials, it looks every inch the classic Smeg appliance.
With four burners, including a powerful wok burner, it’s designed to handle everything from weekday pasta to weekend stir-fries. At this price it sits in the more premium end of standard 60cm gas hobs, but that’s in line with Smeg’s positioning as a style-led, higher-end brand.
Owner feedback is very strong, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from multiple reviews, suggesting buyers are impressed with how it looks and performs day to day.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for small to medium households that cook most days and want a reliable, attractive hob rather than the cheapest option on the market. Four burners cover the basics comfortably, so it suits typical family meals without feeling cramped.
It’s a good fit if you enjoy traditional gas cooking and like to see the flame under your pans. The ultra-rapid wok burner will appeal to anyone who stir-fries regularly or simply wants rapid heat for boiling large pots of water.
Design-conscious buyers will also appreciate it. The black enamel surface and solid cast iron pan supports give a more premium, range-style look than many plain stainless or glass models. If you’re upgrading a kitchen and want the hob to match other Smeg Victoria appliances, this slots in neatly.
It’s less about cutting-edge smart features and more about straightforward, dependable operation. That makes it well suited to all experience levels, from first-time homeowners to keen home cooks who value feel and control over lots of extra functions.
The standout feature here is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat. It’s excellent for stir-fries, searing meat or bringing big pans of water to the boil much faster than a standard burner.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They hold pans securely and cope well with heavier cookware, so there’s less wobble when you’re moving pots around. Their durability should also help the hob keep its good looks for longer.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials means you simply turn and go, with no need for separate ignition buttons or matches. Combined with the clear front-mounted controls, it’s very straightforward to use.
Safety is well covered too. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off mean the gas supply is cut if the flame goes out, giving peace of mind in a busy family kitchen.
Finally, LPG compatibility with a convertible kit included makes it a flexible choice if you’re on bottled gas rather than mains, or planning a future move where supply might change.
For a premium brand at this price point, the feature set is quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no extra convenience functions such as automatic simmer settings, which some rivals now offer.
The enamel surface, while classic and hard-wearing, can be a little more time-consuming to keep looking pristine compared with some smoother glass or stainless finishes, especially around the burners.
Installation requires both an electrician to connect the ignition and a Gas Safe registered engineer to handle the gas connection, with the gas hose not included. That’s standard for built-in gas hobs but still an extra cost to factor in.
The two-year warranty is decent, but not outstanding in this price bracket, where a few competitors offer longer cover.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to feel familiar and fuss-free. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to reach and clearly laid out, so you’re not reaching over hot pans to adjust the flame.
The four burners are arranged to give a good mix of power levels, from gentle simmering up to the ultra-rapid zone. That range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW means you can melt chocolate on a low flame at the same time as you’re blasting heat into a wok or large stockpot.
Cast iron pan supports make moving pans around straightforward; they feel solid and reassuring under heavier cookware. The trade-off is that they add some weight and will usually need to be lifted off for a thorough clean.
Cleaning the enamel surface takes a bit of care – spills should be wiped up promptly to avoid staining – but the simple, low-profile layout with a 3cm overall height and no fussy integrated controls makes it manageable with a regular kitchen routine.
Automatic ignition on every burner speeds up cooking starts. You simply press and twist each control, with no juggling of buttons. Combined with the flame failure safety device, it strikes a good balance between convenience and safety.
Performance is solid where it matters. With a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW across three burner sizes, the hob covers gentle simmering, everyday boiling and high-heat cooking. The ultra-rapid burner in particular is a real asset if you cook with a wok, use large frying pans or regularly boil big pans of pasta or potatoes.
As a classic gas hob, responsiveness is excellent: you see the flame, adjust it instantly and get immediate feedback in the pan. This suits anyone who likes precise manual control and finds preset levels on electric hobs less intuitive.
Safety has been sensibly built in. The flame failure safety device ensures gas is shut off if the flame is accidentally extinguished, while automatic safety shut off offers an extra layer of protection if something goes wrong. These are important reassurance features, especially in family homes or if you’re often multitasking while cooking.
The construction choices are geared to longevity. Enamelled steel is a tried-and-tested hob surface, and the cast iron pan supports are more durable than many lighter alternatives. They also help the hob look more in keeping with traditional range cookers and other Smeg Victoria appliances.
Feature-wise it’s quite traditional: no timers, no smart connectivity and no touch controls. Instead, you get straightforward rotary dials, automatic ignition and LPG compatibility with a kit included. If you prefer simple, reliable hardware over extra electronics, that will be a plus rather than a drawback.
At its current price, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the higher bracket for a standard 60cm gas hob, which reflects the Smeg badge and the design rather than a huge list of advanced functions.
You’re paying for build quality, styling and a strong-performing wok burner rather than bells and whistles. The cast iron pan supports, enamel finish and Italian manufacture all contribute to a more premium feel than entry-level models.
The excellent user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests most owners feel they’ve had good value, despite the relatively simple spec sheet. If you want a smart hob with timers and touch controls, you may find better feature-per-pound options elsewhere. But if your priorities are classic looks, solid hardware and reliable performance, the price is easier to justify.
Factoring in the two-year warranty, it offers respectable, if not outstanding, value for a design-led gas hob from a recognised premium brand.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-made, good-looking 60cm gas hob that focuses on the fundamentals: strong heat from a capable wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports and simple, intuitive controls. It slots neatly into traditional and modern kitchens alike, particularly if you’re pairing it with other Smeg Victoria appliances.
Its main compromises are the lack of extra features such as timers or a control lock, and a price that reflects the brand and design as much as the specification. If you’re chasing maximum functionality per pound, there are more fully loaded alternatives.
But if you value classic gas cooking feel, reassuring build quality and a premium aesthetic, this hob is an excellent choice. For style-conscious households that cook regularly and want a dependable, easy-to-use gas hob, it makes a very strong case.