The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with a traditional look and a solid, no-nonsense spec. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to sit neatly in a standard cut-out while bringing a bit of retro Smeg charm to the worktop.
You get four burners including a powerful wok burner, automatic ignition and reassuring safety features such as flame failure cut-off and automatic safety shut off. There’s nothing overly techy here – just rotary dials on the front and a simple layout that’s easy to get used to.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a good number of reviews, which suggests Smeg has struck a strong balance between looks, performance and reliability for day-to-day cooking.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook regularly but don’t need a sprawling five- or six-burner setup. With four burners and a 60cm width, it’s a great fit for typical UK kitchens, flats and smaller family homes where space is at a premium but home cooking matters.
It’s best seen as a mid to upper mid-range option. You’re paying a bit more than for a basic stainless steel hob, but you’re getting Smeg’s design, robust cast iron supports and a versatile burner layout in return. If you like your appliances to look as good as they cook, this will appeal.
The simple rotary controls and automatic ignition make it ideal for users who want straightforward, familiar operation – whether you’re upgrading from an older gas hob or fitting out a new kitchen. There are no touch panels or digital timers to get to grips with, so it’ll suit everyone from confident home cooks to those who just want something easy and dependable.
If you regularly cook stir-fries, use large pans or entertain at weekends, the inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner is a real plus. On the other hand, if you’re after advanced smart features, integrated timers or induction-style fine control, this is not the right match.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for stir-fries, searing and bringing big pots up to the boil much faster than a standard burner. It makes the hob feel noticeably more capable when you’re cooking for a crowd or working with larger pans.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a premium, professional feel and hold pans securely in place. They’re more durable than basic enamelled wire trivets and make it easier to slide pans around without lifting, which is handy when juggling multiple dishes.
Everyday operation is very straightforward. Front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, and with automatic ignition built in, you simply turn and press to light – no separate ignition button or matches required. The 60cm footprint and low 3cm profile mean it drops neatly into a standard cut-out without dominating the worktop.
Safety is well covered for a traditional gas hob. There’s a flame failure safety device on the burners and automatic safety shut off, so if a flame goes out unexpectedly the gas is cut, adding peace of mind in busy family kitchens. The included LPG conversion kit also makes it flexible if you’re on bottled gas rather than mains.
For the price, this is a relatively simple hob in terms of features. You don’t get extras such as a built-in timer, control panel lock or any form of smart connectivity, which some similarly priced or slightly more expensive models now offer.
The enamel surface, while attractive in black, will typically show scratches and burnt-on spills more readily than some stainless steel or glass alternatives and may need a bit more careful cleaning to stay looking its best. Cast iron supports are robust but can be weighty and a little awkward to lift off for washing.
With only four burners, there’s enough space for most households, but keen entertainers who often run five or more pans at once may find it limiting. The two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional in this price bracket, where some brands occasionally offer longer cover.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is refreshingly straightforward. The front-mounted rotary dials are easy to see and reach, so you’re not stretching over hot pans to adjust the heat. Automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple push-and-turn, which is particularly convenient when one hand is busy holding a pan.
The four-burner layout, with three different burner sizes, gives you enough flexibility for typical meals: a large pan for pasta, a medium for sauce, and smaller burners for sides or simmering. When you need serious heat, the ultra-rapid burner steps in, making wok cooking or boiling large pots much quicker and more controllable.
Cast iron pan supports create a flat, stable cooking surface, which makes moving pans around feel secure. They also add a nice sense of weight and quality. Cleaning takes a bit more effort than with a flat glass or induction hob – you’ll need to lift off the supports and wipe the enamel surface – but the overall design is relatively uncluttered, with no fiddly recesses.
Installation needs both a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, which is standard for a built-in gas hob. Once fitted, day-to-day use is simple, with the safety shut off and flame failure device working quietly in the background to provide extra reassurance.
Performance on the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH centres around its four gas burners, covering a power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The lower-powered burners are ideal for gentle simmering, melting and keeping sauces warm without catching, while the higher outputs handle fast boiling and searing with ease.
The ultra-rapid wok burner is the headline act. Positioned to support larger pans, it provides a concentrated, high flame that’s perfect for stir-frying, flash-cooking vegetables or boiling big pots of pasta or stock. It brings an extra level of versatility that many basic four-burner hobs lack.
Build and materials are in keeping with Smeg’s premium image. The enamel surface is neatly finished, and the solid cast iron pan supports feel suitably substantial. This not only looks smart in black but also gives pots and pans a sturdy, level base, improving both safety and even cooking.
On the safety front, the hob includes a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off, so if a flame goes out or there’s an interruption, the gas supply is cut. Automatic ignition is integrated into the controls, cutting down on clutter and making it easier to light the burners quickly.
You don’t get extras such as a timer, residual heat indicators or a control lock, and there’s no electronic display. However, for many gas hob users, that simplicity is part of the appeal: it focuses on responsive, direct heat and classic controls rather than layered menus or touch panels. The included LPG conversion kit also means performance can be tailored whether you’re on mains gas or bottled gas.
This Smeg hob sits in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, largely because of the brand’s design credentials and build quality rather than an extensive feature list. You’re paying for solid construction, cast iron supports, the powerful wok burner and that distinctive Victoria styling.
If you simply want the cheapest four-burner hob to get you cooking, there are more basic models available for less. However, the SR964NGH offers a stronger blend of aesthetics, performance and safety than many entry-level options, which helps justify the extra outlay, especially in a carefully styled kitchen.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews is a good indicator that buyers feel they’ve had fair value, with the hob performing reliably and living up to expectations. Considering the two-year warranty and flexible LPG compatibility, it represents good – if not bargain-basement – value for those who want something more special than standard stainless steel.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that focuses on doing the basics very well, with a few thoughtful extras like the ultra-rapid wok burner and robust cast iron supports. It looks smart in black, feels solid in everyday use and backs that up with strong owner feedback and sensible safety features.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob on the market – there’s no timer, child lock or advanced tech – and the enamel surface plus heavy pan supports demand a little more effort to keep pristine. You’re also paying a bit of a premium for the Smeg name and design.
If you’re after a dependable, attractive gas hob for a modern or traditional kitchen and you like the idea of a powerful wok burner for more adventurous cooking, this model is an excellent choice. If you want rock-bottom prices or cutting-edge smart features, you may want to look elsewhere, but for most home cooks this strikes a very appealing balance.
