Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, finished in a traditional black enamel that matches Smeg’s retro-inspired Victoria range. It’s designed for cooks who want the responsiveness of gas with a more classic look than stainless steel or glass.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a powerful wok burner, it sits as a mid-range, premium-branded option rather than a bargain-basement buy. Owners clearly rate it highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from user reviews, suggesting day-to-day performance lives up to the Smeg name.
If you’re updating a 60cm hob and want something that feels solid, reliable and a little bit special, this model is aimed squarely at you.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for small to medium-sized households that cook most days and want a reliable, good-looking 60cm hob. Four burners cover the basics without taking up extra worktop space, so it’s a sensible choice for flats, terraces and typical UK family kitchens.
It suits home cooks who value control and like to cook from scratch. The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner is particularly appealing if you stir-fry regularly, sear steaks at high heat or need fast boiling for big pans of pasta or potatoes.
In budget terms, this is a mid-to-upper mid-range gas hob: you’re paying a bit more for the Smeg badge, the Victoria styling and the robust cast iron supports. It’s not the cheapest way to get four burners, but it’s aimed at buyers who’d rather invest once in something that feels well made.
It’s also a good match for those upgrading from a very basic hob. The controls are still simple rotary dials, so there’s no learning curve or touch controls to fiddle with, but you do gain useful extras like automatic ignition, flame failure safety and LPG compatibility for homes without mains gas.
The combination of four burners with three different sizes gives you flexibility for everything from gentle simmering to fast boiling. The ultra-rapid wok burner delivers quick, intense heat, making it excellent for stir-fries, searing and large pans.
Cast iron pan supports are a real plus at this price point. They feel solid and stable, cope well with heavy cookware and add to the premium, traditional look of the hob.
Everyday operation is straightforward thanks to front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition – no need for separate lighters or fiddling with awkward controls. The enamel surface is also generally easier to wipe clean than some textured finishes.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut-off helping to cut the gas if a flame goes out. Add in the strong 4.8/5 user rating and a two-year manufacturer warranty, and it feels like a dependable choice.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so you miss out on a couple of convenience and safety features that some modern hobs now offer, especially if you have curious children around the kitchen.
While enamel is practical and suits the Victoria styling, it won’t look as sleek or contemporary as black glass or stainless steel, and can be more prone to visible chips if heavily knocked.
Installation is not plug-and-play: you’ll need a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the power cable, which adds to the overall cost if you’re not already planning other work. The two-year warranty is decent but not outstanding at this price level.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH should feel reassuringly straightforward. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so you can see and reach the controls without leaning over hot pans. Automatic ignition means a simple push-and-twist lights the burner in one motion.
The cast iron pan supports span the hob, giving a continuous, stable surface for moving pans around. Heavy casserole dishes and larger pots feel well supported and less likely to wobble. When it comes to cleaning, you can lift off the supports and wipe down the enamel surface with a cloth and standard kitchen cleaner.
The burner layout and range of powers – from a gentle 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW – make it easy to have a sauce simmering while another pan boils or the wok burner blasts away at full power. Because it’s a standard 60cm width and just 3cm high, it slots neatly into typical worktop cut-outs without dominating the kitchen.
There are no digital displays, timers or touch controls to worry about, which many people will find refreshing. On the flip side, you do need to rely on your own timing and keep an eye on the hob, as there are no smart helpers built in.
For a compact 60cm hob, performance is strong. The four gas burners cover a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW, giving you enough finesse for delicate sauces and enough punch for fast boiling. The ultra-rapid wok burner is the standout: it delivers intense, focused heat, ideal for Asian-style cooking and high-heat searing where quick response really matters.
The flexible burner sizes make it easy to match pans to the right zone, reducing wasted heat and improving control. Being a traditional gas hob, heat response is instant – turn the dial and you see the flame change immediately, which keen cooks tend to prefer over slower electric or some ceramic hobs.
From a usability standpoint, automatic ignition on all burners simplifies startup, and the rotary controls are intuitive for anyone used to gas. The enamel surface provides a robust, easy-wipe base that complements the cast iron supports, and the overall design lines up neatly with other Smeg Victoria appliances for a coordinated look.
Safety features are well thought through. Flame failure safety devices cut the gas if the flame goes out, and there’s an automatic safety shut-off for extra peace of mind. The hob is also LPG-compatible and comes with a conversion kit, which is a big plus for rural properties or those without mains gas.
What you don’t get are modern extras like timers, touch controls, digital displays or flexible cooking zones. This is very much a classic gas experience, executed with premium materials and styling rather than packed with smart technology.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is priced as a premium 60cm gas hob rather than a budget choice. You can certainly find cheaper four-burner models, but they are unlikely to match the combination of Smeg branding, Victoria styling and solid cast iron supports.
The strong 4.8/5 user rating indicates that owners generally feel they’ve had good return for their money, particularly around build quality and everyday performance. The inclusion of a powerful wok burner, LPG convertibility and comprehensive gas safety features helps justify the step up from entry-level options.
If your priority is the lowest possible price or cutting-edge features like smart connectivity and timers, this may not feel like standout value. But if you’re willing to pay a bit more for a robust, attractive hob that should serve you well for years, the SR964NGH offers sound value within the premium mid-range bracket.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-judged blend of traditional gas cooking and premium build. It doesn’t try to be ultra-modern or packed with electronics; instead, it focuses on solid basics – strong burners, a powerful wok zone, sturdy cast iron supports and simple, reliable controls – all wrapped up in classic black enamel styling.
It’s best suited to home cooks who value the feel and responsiveness of gas, want a hob that complements a more traditional or retro kitchen, and are happy to pay a little extra for the Smeg name and finish. The lack of timer and child lock, plus the need for professional installation, are the main compromises to keep in mind.
If you’re upgrading from a tired old 60cm hob and want something that looks and feels a step up without becoming overly complex, the Victoria SR964NGH is a strong contender and an easy hob to live with day to day.