Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob that blends traditional styling with a solid, practical feature set. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to complement classic or shaker-style kitchens as much as modern spaces.
With four burners including a powerful wok burner, automatic ignition and key safety features, it sits as a mid to upper mid-range option in the gas hob market. A strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating from owners suggests that the combination of looks and everyday usability has gone down very well.
If you want a dependable gas hob that feels a bit more special than the basic stainless options, and you’re prepared to pay a little extra for design and build, this model is a strong contender.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits anyone upgrading a 60cm hob who wants something that looks premium without being overly flashy. Its black enamel finish and traditional Smeg Victoria styling make it ideal for period homes, country kitchens and anyone pairing it with a matching Smeg cooker or oven.
With four burners and a dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner, it’s well matched to small and medium-sized households that cook most days, whether that’s quick midweek meals or more ambitious weekend recipes. Keen home cooks who use large pans or a wok will particularly appreciate the extra heat on tap.
Budget-wise, this is not a bargain-basement hob. It’s more of a mid to premium choice, where you’re paying for design, better materials and brand reputation as much as the basic spec. If you mainly want the cheapest functional hob, there are simpler options, but if you value aesthetics and feel, this will appeal.
It’s also a good fit for buyers who prefer straightforward, traditional controls. There’s no touch panel or timer to learn – just rotary dials, automatic ignition and familiar gas control, making it approachable for first-time buyers and confident cooks alike.
The standout strength here is the burner layout, especially the ultra-rapid wok burner. With power up to 3.3 kW, it delivers the intense heat you need for proper stir-fries, fast boiling and searing, which many standard 60cm hobs struggle to match.
Cast iron pan supports are another big plus. They’re heavier and more stable than basic wire or enamel supports, helping pans sit securely and giving the hob a more professional, robust feel. They also visually tie in nicely with the vintage-inspired design.
Everyday operation is simple and reassuring. Front-mounted rotary controls are easy to see and reach, automatic ignition means no fiddling with matches or lighters, and the flame failure safety device will cut off the gas if the flame goes out, which is a key safety reassurance in busy family kitchens.
It’s also flexible for different gas supplies. Being LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit makes it suitable for homes running on bottled gas, caravans or holiday homes, without needing to source extra parts.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so if you like extra convenience features or have small children who might reach the knobs, this may feel a little basic on the tech and safety front compared with some newer designs.
The enamel surface, while attractive, will generally mark and show scratches more readily than some high-end glass or stainless steel options if not looked after carefully. It can also need a bit more effort to keep looking pristine, especially around the burners.
You’ll also need to factor in installation costs. It requires both an electrician to attach a plug or cable and a Gas Safe registered engineer to connect it to the gas supply, and the gas hose is not included. For a relatively premium hob, the standard 2-year warranty is decent but not exceptional, especially when some rivals now offer longer cover.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels familiar and fuss-free. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so adjusting heat levels is instinctive and doesn’t involve squinting over hot pans. Automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple turn and press, which is particularly handy when you’re juggling multiple dishes.
The four-burner layout with three different burner sizes gives you enough flexibility for typical cooking patterns: a small burner for gentle simmering, standard burners for pasta or veg, and the ultra-rapid burner for big pots or a wok. On a 60cm hob, this is a sensible balance between space and capacity for most households.
The cast iron pan supports provide a stable, continuous surface, so sliding pans from one burner to another feels secure, and heavier cookware doesn’t wobble. They do add a bit of weight when you lift them for cleaning, but most users will accept that trade-off for the more substantial feel.
Cleaning is straightforward but benefits from regular attention. The enamel surface can be wiped with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner, but spills baked on around the burners will need a bit more elbow grease if left too long. Owners who wipe down after use will find it easier to keep looking smart.
In performance terms, the SR964NGH focuses on reliable, controllable gas cooking rather than flashy extras. The burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW covers most everyday needs, from slow simmering sauces to rapidly boiling water and high-heat stir-frying.
The inclusion of an ultra-rapid burner and dedicated wok capability is important. It delivers a stronger, more concentrated flame than standard burners, so you can get a pan smoking hot quickly – ideal for woks, griddle pans and large stockpots. This lifts it above entry-level models that offer only modest burner outputs.
Safety is well covered. The flame failure device monitors each burner and shuts off the gas if the flame is accidentally extinguished, reducing the risk of gas build-up. Automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection, which is reassuring if you’re cooking with children around or frequently multitasking.
From a feature perspective, this hob is intentionally traditional rather than smart. You get automatic ignition, clear front controls and sturdy cast iron supports, but no timers, touch controls or fancy displays. The surface is enamel rather than glass or steel, which keeps the look classic and coordinates nicely with the wider Smeg Victoria range.
Installation flexibility is a useful extra. Being LPG compatible and supplied with an LPG conversion kit makes it easy to use in off-grid properties or with bottled gas, as long as a qualified engineer completes the connection. A 3-amp fuse rating and standard 60cm width help it slot into most existing hob cut-outs without drama.
At around £429, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is priced above many basic 60cm gas hobs. You’re paying a premium for the Smeg name, the vintage-inspired Victoria styling and the more substantial build quality, especially the cast iron pan supports and Italian-made construction.
Feature-wise, it doesn’t overwhelm with tech, but it offers what most cooks genuinely need: a powerful wok burner, automatic ignition, flame safety, LPG compatibility and sturdy supports. For many buyers, that combination, coupled with the attractive design, will justify the extra spend over a no-frills stainless model.
The strong 4.8/5 user rating with a decent number of reviews suggests that owners generally feel they’ve had good value from the hob. If you want the cheapest functional option, this won’t be it, but if you’re prepared to invest a little more for design, durability and everyday satisfaction, the price feels fair rather than excessive.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm gas hob is a stylish, well-built choice for cooks who favour classic looks and straightforward controls. Its standout features are the powerful wok burner and robust cast iron pan supports, which together make it feel more capable and more premium than many standard 60cm hobs.
You don’t get advanced extras like timers, child locks or touch controls, and the enamel surface will reward regular, careful cleaning. Installation also requires both an electrician and a Gas Safe engineer, which adds to the overall outlay.
If you’re renovating a kitchen, matching other Smeg Victoria appliances or simply want a traditional-looking hob that performs reliably and feels solid under heavy pans, this model is easy to recommend. Those chasing the absolute latest features or working to a tight budget may want to look at more tech-heavy or cheaper alternatives, but as a handsome, dependable gas hob, it delivers very well.