Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners and a traditional black enamel finish. It sits firmly in the premium camp, aimed at buyers who care as much about how their kitchen looks as how it cooks.
With sturdy cast iron pan supports, automatic ignition and a powerful wok burner, it promises straightforward, responsive heat rather than flashy extras. A strong owner rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews suggests it largely lives up to expectations, especially for those upgrading from an older, more basic hob.
If you want something that blends classic range-style looks with reliable everyday performance, this Smeg is positioned as a stylish, long-term choice rather than a budget buy.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for anyone creating a traditional or shaker-style kitchen who wants their hob to match the aesthetic. The black enamel surface and heavy-duty cast iron supports look more like a mini range top than a generic stainless panel, so it suits period homes and characterful spaces.
With four burners and a compact 60cm width, it’s a good fit for small to medium households who cook most days but don’t need a sprawling 5- or 6-burner layout. If you’re regularly juggling a couple of pans plus a larger pot or wok, it should cope comfortably.
The inclusion of a high-output wok burner makes it particularly appealing for keen home cooks who stir-fry, sear steaks in a heavy pan or need fast, intense heat. At the same time, the simple rotary dials and automatic ignition mean it won’t intimidate first-time buyers replacing an older built-in hob.
Budget-wise, this is more of a premium choice than an entry-level option. If you value strong build quality, a recognisable brand name and a cohesive look with other Smeg Victoria appliances, it’s likely to feel worth the outlay.
The standout feature is the dedicated wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat up to 3.3 kW. That gives you the high flame you need for proper stir-fries, fast boiling and searing, rather than waiting around on underpowered burners.
Cast iron pan supports are another big plus. They’re more substantial and stable than basic enamel grids, so heavy pots feel secure and you can slide pans between burners without them catching or tipping. They also complement the Victoria styling nicely.
Everyday usability is strong thanks to straightforward front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition. There’s no fiddling with matches or awkward controls – you push, twist and you’re cooking.
On the safety side, the flame failure device and automatic safety shut-off add reassurance. If a burner goes out accidentally, the gas supply is cut, which is especially important in busy family kitchens.
Finally, LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included makes it flexible if you’re on bottled gas rather than mains – you won’t need to hunt down extra parts.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, so if you like hobs with built-in countdowns or extra child safety features, this model is quite basic in that respect.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the traditional look, generally shows marks and spills more readily than some modern glass or stainless options and can take a bit more effort to keep looking pristine.
At 60cm with four burners, it suits most households, but enthusiastic cooks who regularly use multiple large pans might find the space a little tight and prefer a 75cm or 90cm hob with a fifth zone.
The two-year warranty is decent but not class-leading at this price level. Some rivals offer longer cover, which may matter if you’re planning a long-term kitchen investment.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH focuses on doing the basics very well. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to see and reach, so you’re not leaning over hot pans to adjust the flame. Automatic ignition means you simply press and turn – the burner lights without fuss.
The layout of four burners with three different sizes gives a sensible spread of options: a powerful wok burner for bigger jobs, plus smaller zones for simmering sauces or gently melting chocolate. The burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3 kW covers most everyday cooking needs.
Cast iron supports create a flat, continuous platform, which makes moving pans around straightforward. They’re weighty enough to feel solid but lift off for cleaning. Coupled with the low 3cm profile, the hob sits quite sleekly on the worktop.
Cleaning requires a little care, as with most enamel surfaces. Wiping spills promptly will help avoid staining, and the raised supports mean you’ll remove them regularly to get the surface thoroughly clean. There are no fiddly touch controls or displays to smear, which many users will see as a plus.
Installation needs both an electrician to connect the power for ignition and a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection, as the hose isn’t included. Once fitted, though, operation is intuitive enough that most people will feel at home within a single cooking session.
Performance-wise, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH delivers exactly what you’d expect from a quality 60cm gas hob. The burners span from a gentle 1.05 kW up to a punchy 3.3 kW wok burner, so you can handle everything from slow simmering to rapid boiling. Gas gives instant response when you tweak the dials, and the layout of three burner sizes makes it easier to match pan to flame.
The wok burner is a genuine asset if you cook a lot. Positioned to give a stable base for curved or wide pans, it produces a broad, intense flame pattern that brings water to the boil quickly and helps achieve that all-important sizzle in stir-fries.
Safety features are well considered. Flame failure safety devices on the burners cut off the gas supply if the flame is blown out or a pan overflows, and the automatic safety shut-off adds another layer of protection. For a busy household or open-plan space, that peace of mind is valuable.
In terms of materials, the enamel surface is robust, and the cast iron pan supports are built to last, resisting warping and giving the hob a more substantial, professional feel than lighter wire supports. While it doesn’t offer smart connectivity or touch controls, many buyers will prefer the simplicity and reliability of mechanical dials and straightforward ignition.
Flexibility is boosted by LPG compatibility and the inclusion of a conversion kit in the box. Whether you’re on mains gas or bottled, you can have it configured correctly during installation, which is particularly useful for rural properties or holiday homes.
With its premium branding, traditional styling and solid construction, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is positioned towards the higher end of the 60cm gas hob market rather than as a bargain option. You’re paying partly for the Smeg name and the cohesive look with the wider Victoria range, as well as for more substantial materials such as cast iron supports.
That said, the specification is stronger than many entry-level hobs: the ultra-rapid wok burner, flame failure safety, automatic ignition and LPG conversion kit all add real-world value. The two-year warranty is respectable, if not outstanding.
Owner feedback is very positive, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating from multiple reviews, which suggests most buyers feel they’ve had good return for their money. If you simply want the cheapest possible four-burner hob, this isn’t it. But if you’re investing in a kitchen you plan to keep for years, and you care about both performance and aesthetics, it represents solid value within the premium bracket.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-made 60cm gas hob that prioritises dependable cooking performance and classic design over flashy extras. The combination of a powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron pan supports and simple rotary controls makes it a pleasure to cook on for everyday meals and more ambitious dishes alike.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or touch controls – and the enamel surface will reward regular cleaning. The price also places it above basic models. But the strong user reviews, quality feel and LPG flexibility all work in its favour.
If you’re upgrading a built-in hob in a traditional or country-style kitchen and want something that looks the part, feels robust and delivers reliable heat day after day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is an excellent choice. Heavy-duty cooks needing more space or those chasing rock-bottom prices may want to look at wider or more basic alternatives, but for many homes this hits a very appealing sweet spot.