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 the solid build quality Smeg is known for. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to look the part in a modern or period-style kitchen.
With four burners, including a powerful wok zone, it’s geared towards everyday family cooking where you want responsive heat and a straightforward layout rather than flashy smart features. Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary controls keep operation simple.
Backed by a strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating from owners, this hob clearly satisfies most households who choose it, particularly those looking for a premium-feeling gas hob in a compact 60cm footprint.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that prefer the instant control of gas and want something that looks more upmarket than a basic stainless-steel hob. Its classic design and black finish make it a good match for shaker, cottage and traditional kitchens.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it suits couples and small to medium families who cook regularly but don’t need the extra space of a 5-burner layout. The dedicated wok burner is especially handy if you enjoy stir-fries or often cook in larger pans.
This is best viewed as a mid to premium option rather than a budget buy. If you’re upgrading an older built-in hob and want better build quality and a smarter look, it’s a strong candidate. First-time buyers who care more about reliability and ease of use than lots of advanced features will also get on well with it.
If you need timers, touch controls or integrated smart functions, this isn’t the right product. But if you value tactile dials, robust pan supports and reliable everyday performance, it’s a very good fit.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat – perfect for searing, fast stir-fries and bringing large pans of water to the boil faster than a standard burner.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, premium feel and make it easier to slide pans between burners without lifting. They also hold heavier cookware more securely than basic enamel supports.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials means you can light each burner with a simple twist – there’s no need for separate ignition buttons or matches, which makes everyday use quicker and safer.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices on the burners and an automatic safety shut off, helping to cut the gas if the flame goes out unexpectedly.
The hob is LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, so it’s a flexible option whether your home runs on natural gas or bottled gas in more rural properties.
There’s no built-in timer or control panel lock, so if you’re used to those conveniences on modern hobs you may miss them, especially in busy family kitchens.
The enamel surface looks smart but can mark or chip more easily than some glass or high-end stainless finishes if you’re not careful with heavy pans.
With four burners, space is limited if you often cook with several large pans at once – serious entertainers or larger families might prefer a wider 5-burner model.
The power cable needs to be attached by an electrician and installation must be done by a Gas Safe engineer, which is standard for gas but does add to the overall fitted cost.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be intuitive. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so you can see at a glance which burner you’re adjusting without reaching over hot pans.
Automatic ignition built into each control means you simply press and turn to light the burner, which feels natural and reduces fumbling when you’re juggling multiple pots. Once alight, the responsive gas flame makes it easy to fine-tune simmering sauces or ramp up the heat for frying.
The cast iron pan supports cover the cooking area and give a stable platform, which is reassuring with heavier casseroles and large woks. Because they’re robust and slightly raised, it’s straightforward to shuffle pans between burners while cooking.
With a low profile height of just 3cm, it sits neatly into the worktop and doesn’t dominate the kitchen. Cleaning is typical of an enamel gas hob: you’ll need to lift off the pan supports and wipe around the burners. The flat enamel surface helps, but you’ll get the best results if you stay on top of spills rather than letting them burn on.
Installation is conventional for a gas hob – it requires a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, so it’s not a DIY job, but once fitted it’s very straightforward to live with.
Performance-wise, this hob focuses on delivering solid, reliable gas cooking rather than headline-grabbing extras. The four burners cover a sensible range from 1.05 kW up to a punchy 3.3 kW, providing everything from gentle melts and simmers through to high-heat searing on the ultra-rapid burner.
The dedicated wok burner is a real asset if you cook Asian dishes or simply like using a large pan. Its concentrated, high-output flame reaches temperature quickly and helps keep ingredients moving and sizzling rather than stewing.
Three different burner sizes give you flexibility for different pan diameters, making it easier to match the heat source to your cookware. Paired with the continuous cast iron pan supports, this setup makes it simple to rearrange pans mid-cook without losing stability.
On the safety front, the flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off provide valuable reassurance. If a flame is blown out by a draft or a boil-over, the gas supply is cut, which is important in busy family kitchens.
The enamel surface and mechanical dials mean there’s nothing overly complex going on – no touch panels, displays or smart connectivity. For some buyers that will be a plus: fewer electronics to go wrong and a very traditional, tactile cooking experience that’s all about direct heat control.
This Smeg sits in the mid to upper price band for a 60cm gas hob, reflecting both the brand’s premium positioning and the quality of the materials. You’re paying more than you would for a basic four-burner hob, but you do get cast iron supports, a powerful wok burner and a more considered, traditional design.
The specification is deliberately simple rather than stuffed with extras, so the value here comes from build and day-to-day feel rather than sheer feature count. If you don’t need timers or smart functions, you’re unlikely to feel short-changed.
A 4.8/5 user rating from a good number of reviews suggests owners generally feel it’s worth the outlay, especially when you factor in Smeg’s reputation and the included 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Overall, it offers good value for buyers who care about design and robust construction as much as features. If you just want the cheapest gas hob that does the job, there are more economical options, but they won’t feel as substantial or look as refined.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-crafted 60cm gas hob that prioritises classic looks, solid build and straightforward operation. The combination of a powerful wok burner, stable cast iron pan supports and simple rotary controls makes it a pleasure to cook on if you like the immediacy of gas.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, no child lock and no digital frills – but for many households that will be part of its appeal. It feels dependable and unfussy, with safety systems in place and enough burner power to handle everything from weekday pasta to weekend entertaining.
If you’re upgrading a tired built-in hob and want something stylish, sturdy and easy to live with, this model is well worth shortlisting. Those on a tight budget or needing extra burners and advanced features should look elsewhere, but for design-conscious cooks who value quality over gimmicks, it’s a strong all-round choice.