The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob designed to bring traditional styling and solid cooking performance to smaller and medium-sized kitchens. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s clearly pitched as a more premium, design-led choice than many plain stainless steel hobs.
With four burners, including a powerful ultra-rapid wok burner, automatic ignition and essential safety features, it covers the basics confidently rather than chasing gimmicks. The price places it towards the premium end of standard 60cm gas hobs, but a strong 4.8 out of 5 average rating from owners suggests that most people feel they’ve spent their money wisely.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal if you’re upgrading a built-in 60cm hob and want something that looks smarter than the usual stainless steel options. Its retro styling and black finish sit particularly well in classic or shaker-style kitchens, but it also works as a bold contrast in a modern scheme.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s well suited to couples, small families and anyone who cooks most days but doesn’t need a large five- or six-burner layout. The inclusion of a dedicated wok/ultra-rapid burner also makes it attractive for those who regularly stir-fry, sear steaks or bring large pans quickly up to the boil.
Budget-wise, this is a premium mid-sized hob rather than an entry-level buy. If you’re simply after the cheapest way to boil pasta, there are more basic models that will cost less. If you value design, robust build and a reputable Italian brand, the higher price is much easier to justify.
It’s also a good fit if you prefer straightforward, analogue controls. The front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition make it intuitive for anyone, including first-time buyers and older users who don’t want touch controls or complicated settings.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for stir-fries, searing and fast boiling, making everyday cooking feel noticeably quicker. Coupled with three burner sizes in total, it gives you flexible heat for everything from gentle simmering to high-heat frying.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel and keep pans more stable than lighter wire designs. They also add to the premium look and help the hob blend seamlessly into a more upmarket kitchen.
Automatic ignition on the rotary controls means no need for separate lighters or fiddly spark buttons – just turn the knob and it lights. Front-mounted dials make it easy to see what you’re doing and adjust the flame quickly.
On the safety side, automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices provide peace of mind if the flame goes out unexpectedly, which is especially reassuring in busy family homes.
The fact that it’s LPG compatible and comes with a conversion kit included is a real plus for households running on bottled gas, holiday homes or rural properties.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you’ll need to rely on a separate kitchen timer and be mindful of curious little hands if you have young children around.
The enamel surface, while smart and traditional-looking, can show marks and burnt-on spills more readily than some modern glass surfaces and may need a bit of regular care to keep it looking its best.
At this price point it’s very much a premium four-burner hob purely focused on gas – you don’t get extras like integrated digital displays, residue heat indicators or hybrid gas/induction features that some similarly priced models now offer.
Finally, as with all gas hobs, installation isn’t DIY-friendly. You’ll need both a Gas Safe engineer (hose not included) and an electrician to connect the ignition, which adds to the overall cost.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward to live with. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so you’re not reaching over hot pans to adjust the flame, and the automatic ignition fires the burners quickly with a simple twist.
The four-burner layout is familiar and easy to work around, with enough space to have a couple of larger pans and smaller saucepans on the go. The cast iron supports create a continuous, level surface, so sliding pans from one burner to another feels secure and controlled.
Heat control is responsive, as you’d expect from gas, and the burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW gives you good flexibility for simmering sauces, boiling veg or flash-frying in a wok. The ultra-rapid burner is particularly handy when you’re in a hurry and need a big pan at temperature fast.
Cleaning will take a little more effort than on a flat glass hob. You’ll need to lift off the cast iron supports and wipe down the enamel surface beneath. However, the relatively compact 60cm footprint and simple layout mean there aren’t many awkward corners or crevices to deal with.
Once installed and connected, there’s not much else to think about. There are no complex menus or programmes – it’s very much a case of turn, light and cook, which many home cooks prefer.
Performance-wise, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH focuses on doing the fundamentals very well. The burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers gentle simmering up to powerful boiling and searing. The inclusion of an ultra-rapid burner means you can get a large pan of water or a wok up to cooking temperature quickly, which is a real time-saver on busy evenings.
The four burners are split across three different sizes, so there’s always a suitable burner for your pan – no more balancing a small milk pan on a giant ring or waiting ages for a big pot to heat up on a tiny one. This variety helps with energy efficiency too, as you can better match flame size to pan diameter.
Cast iron pan supports are a clear step up from basic enamel or wire alternatives. They hold pans firmly and spread weight evenly, which is reassuring when you’re using heavier cast iron cookware or large stockpots. They also withstand high heat well over time.
From a safety and convenience angle, the hob includes automatic ignition, automatic safety shut off and flame failure devices. If a flame is blown out or goes out unexpectedly, the gas supply will cut out, reducing the risk of gas build-up in the kitchen.
Installation flexibility is another notable feature: it’s LPG compatible and convertible, with the kit included in the box. That makes it suitable for homes without mains gas or for properties like static caravans and holiday homes that rely on bottled gas, without needing to buy extra parts.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm, four-burner gas hob. You’re paying a noticeable uplift over basic models, but what you get in return is a combination of classic design, robust build and a strong set of core features.
The high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews is a positive sign that owners feel the hob justifies its price once installed in their kitchens. Features like cast iron pan supports, a powerful wok burner, full flame failure protection and LPG compatibility are not always guaranteed at cheaper price points.
If you’re only looking for the lowest possible cost per burner, this won’t feel like the best value. But if you care about how the hob looks, want something that feels solid and reliable, and plan to keep it for many years, the price becomes easier to defend. The two-year manufacturer warranty for domestic use adds a bit more reassurance, though some rivals now offer longer cover.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that prioritises solid everyday performance and timeless looks over bells and whistles. The combination of a powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron pan supports and intuitive rotary controls makes it a pleasure to cook on for most households.
It does lack extras like a timer, control lock or any kind of digital interface, and the enamel surface will need a little care to stay looking sharp. You’re also paying a premium compared with no-frills models, so it’s not the obvious choice for strict budget buyers.
If you’re refurbishing a kitchen, value traditional styling and want a dependable four-burner hob from a respected brand, this Smeg is a strong contender. For those who’d rather spend less and don’t mind a plainer design or lighter build, a cheaper gas hob may make more sense, but it will feel like a step down from what the Victoria offers.
