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 practical, no-nonsense layout. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to complement Smeg’s Victoria ovens and range cookers, but works just as happily as a standalone upgrade.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, automatic ignition and essential safety features, it aims to offer dependable everyday cooking rather than flashy smart extras. The price sits in the premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, but a strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating from multiple owners suggests most people feel it delivers on quality and performance.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly and want a reliable, traditional gas hob with a bit of designer flair. If you like the look of classic-style appliances but don’t want to compromise on burner performance, it’s a strong fit.
It suits small to medium-sized kitchens perfectly: four burners and a 60cm width are spot on for most UK homes, whether you’re rustling up weeknight dinners or a Sunday roast with multiple pans on the go. The inclusion of a rapid wok burner also makes it attractive for anyone who enjoys stir-fries, searing steaks, or simply wants quicker boiling.
Budget-wise, this is more of a premium choice than an entry-level hob. If your priority is the lowest possible price, there are plainer models that will do the basics. But if you’re investing in a smart-looking kitchen, or pairing it with other Smeg Victoria appliances, the extra spend will feel more justified.
It’s also a good option for those who prefer straightforward, tactile controls. The front-mounted rotary dials and instant automatic ignition make it easy to live with, even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for fast cooking or boiling large pots, giving this hob a real performance edge over basic four-burner models.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports cover the hob, offering a stable surface and a more upmarket feel than lightweight enamelled trivets. They cope well with heavy pans and add to the overall sense of solidity.
Automatic ignition on the controls means you simply twist and light, with no need for separate ignition buttons or matches, making everyday use smoother and safer.
Safety is well covered too, thanks to the flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off, which cut the gas if the flame goes out – reassuring in busy family kitchens.
Finally, the classic black enamel finish and Victoria styling bring a coordinated, retro-inspired look that many standard stainless steel hobs simply don’t offer.
For a 60cm hob with four burners, the price is on the higher side, largely reflecting the Smeg branding and design rather than a long list of advanced features.
The enamel surface, while attractive, is usually a bit more prone to showing marks than high-end glass or some stainless finishes, and can take a little more care to keep looking pristine.
There’s no timer, control panel lock or digital display, so if you’re used to touch controls and integrated timers on more modern hobs, this will feel quite traditional.
Lastly, the standard 2-year warranty is decent but not exceptional at this price point, where some rivals offer longer cover.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be reassuringly straightforward. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to reach and clearly spaced, so adjusting the flame while you’re juggling pans feels natural and controlled.
Automatic ignition built into the controls keeps things simple: turn the knob, the burner sparks, and you’re ready to cook. Once lit, the cast iron pan supports create a continuous surface that feels secure with everything from small saucepans to large casserole dishes.
The layout of four burners with three different sizes offers enough flexibility for typical family cooking – simmering sauces at the back while using the more powerful burners at the front for frying or boiling. The ultra-rapid burner is particularly handy when you want to get a large pan of water up to temperature quickly or flash-fry ingredients in a wok.
Cleaning is fairly typical for an enamel gas hob. The pan supports are weighty but removable, and the enamel surface can be wiped down with non-abrasive cleaners. It’s not as effortless as a completely flat glass surface, but the simple design and lack of fiddly extras help keep maintenance manageable.
Installation-wise, it will need to be connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the electrical connection requires a plug or cable fitting by an electrician, which is standard for this type of appliance.
Performance centres around the four gas burners, with a power range from 1.05 kW up to a punchy 3.3 kW. This gives a good spread for everything from gentle simmering to fast searing and boiling. The ultra-rapid burner is the real workhorse, ideal for woks, big pasta pots or a large frying pan.
Three different burner sizes make it easier to match pan to flame, which helps both cooking results and energy efficiency. The gas hob format gives you instant visual feedback and fine control over heat, something many keen cooks still prefer over electric alternatives.
Safety has been sensibly prioritised. Flame failure devices monitor each burner and shut off the gas if the flame is accidentally blown out, and the automatic safety shut-off offers another layer of protection. For family homes and busier kitchens, these are valuable peace-of-mind features rather than marketing fluff.
The enamel surface and cast iron pan supports give the hob a robust, traditional feel. While you don’t get touch controls, timers or smart connectivity, the automatic ignition and clear front controls cover the important conveniences most people actually use.
For homes using bottled gas, the included LPG conversion kit is a major plus. It means you can run the hob on LPG if you don’t have a mains gas supply, without needing to buy additional parts – just ask your installer to set it up during fitting.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner hobs that will boil and fry just as effectively, but they rarely match the combination of styling, build and brand cachet on offer here.
Where it earns its keep is in the ultra-rapid wok burner, solid cast iron supports, strong safety suite and the cohesive Victoria design that pairs neatly with matching ovens and range cookers. If you’re remodelling a kitchen and want a coordinated look, paying a bit more for something that feels and looks high quality can make sense.
The very positive 4.8 out of 5 user rating suggests that owners generally feel they’ve had good value from their purchase, especially when considering the Italian manufacture and Smeg branding. If you just want a basic hob for a rental or occasional use, this may be more than you need; but for a long-term upgrade in a home you care about, it offers solid long-term value.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that delivers exactly what most home cooks need: four versatile burners, a powerful wok zone, robust supports and reassuring safety features, all wrapped in a classic black finish.
It’s not the cheapest option and it doesn’t chase high-tech gimmicks, but that will appeal to many people. Instead, you’re paying for a premium look, solid construction and reliable gas performance that feels easy to live with day after day.
If you’re creating a coordinated Smeg kitchen or simply want a handsome, dependable hob that lifts the feel of your worktop, this model is well worth considering. Those on tight budgets or who want advanced digital features may be better off elsewhere, but as a premium traditional gas hob, it’s a very strong choice.