Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with a traditional look and a solid, no‑nonsense feature set. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to sit neatly in a standard cut-out while adding a bit of character to the worktop.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, automatic ignition and key safety features built in, it’s aimed at home cooks who still prefer the responsiveness of gas. The price sits firmly in the premium bracket for a 60cm hob, and you’re paying as much for the styling and brand heritage as the raw spec.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a respectable number of reviews, which suggests that day-to-day performance and build quality largely live up to expectations.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits anyone who wants a reliable, traditional gas hob that looks smarter than the average stainless steel model. If you’re renovating a kitchen in a period or country style, the Victoria design language fits in particularly well.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, it’s ideal for small to medium households that regularly cook on the hob but don’t need a five‑zone layout. The inclusion of a wok burner makes it a good match for stir‑fries, searing and larger pans, so keen home cooks will appreciate the extra punch.
This is best viewed as a premium mid‑range choice rather than a budget buy. If you’re kitting out a first flat on a tight budget, there are simpler, cheaper 60cm hobs around. But if you’re happy to pay more for a smarter finish, sturdy supports and a well‑reviewed brand, it’s a strong contender.
It’s also well suited to anyone converting to bottled gas: LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included means it can work in homes without mains gas, as long as installation is done correctly.
The standout strength here is the powerful wok burner, delivering quick, intense heat that’s perfect for fast stir‑frying or bringing large pots up to the boil. It gives the hob a level of versatility you don’t always find on a standard four‑burner layout.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports are another big plus. They feel robust, give pans a stable base and help pots glide from one burner to another without tipping or wobbling – reassuring if you use heavy cookware.
Everyday usability is helped by the straightforward front‑mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition. You simply turn and light in one motion, with no need for a separate ignition button or matches.
On the safety side, the automatic safety shut off and flame failure devices mean that if a flame goes out, the gas supply is cut. It’s a key reassurance on a gas hob at this price point.
The slim 3cm profile and standard 60cm width make it easy to integrate into most kitchens, and the 2‑year manufacturer warranty is a solid, if not outstanding, level of cover.
For a four‑burner hob, the price is on the high side, largely reflecting the Smeg badge and retro styling rather than a long list of advanced features. If you’re not fussed about the look, you can find cheaper gas hobs with similar basic functionality.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can mark and chip more easily than high‑end tempered glass or certain stainless finishes if not treated carefully. It may also take a bit more effort to keep looking pristine compared with totally smooth surfaces.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, which some families might miss, especially if you’re used to more feature‑rich hobs or have young children around the kitchen.
Finally, like all gas hobs, it requires proper installation by a Gas Safe engineer and an electrician to connect the ignition, which adds to the overall cost if you’re replacing a like‑for‑like unit yourself.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH feels pleasingly straightforward. The front‑mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so you can see at a glance which burner you’re adjusting. Automatic ignition means a simple twist of the knob brings the flame to life, which is especially handy if you’re juggling multiple pans.
The four‑burner layout with three different sizes gives enough flexibility for typical family meals. The ultra‑rapid burner takes centre stage when you need serious heat, while the smaller burners are well suited to simmering sauces or cooking rice gently.
Cast iron pan supports create a continuous grid across the hob, making it easy to slide pans without lifting them. They are substantial and add to the premium feel, though they’re heavier to lift off when cleaning.
Cleaning itself is relatively typical for an enamel gas hob. Spills should be wiped up promptly to avoid staining, and the pan supports will need an occasional soak and scrub. There are no fiddly electronic touch panels to smear, which some users will appreciate.
Once installed, you don’t need to think about it much: ignition is automatic, safety shut off is built in, and the controls are mechanical and intuitive, making it easy for any member of the household to use.
In terms of core cooking performance, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH covers the essentials well. The burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW gives enough spread from gentle simmering through to rapid boiling. The ultra rapid burner, effectively the wok zone, is where you’ll notice the biggest difference compared with more basic hobs, as it delivers strong, even heat for larger pans.
Gas responsiveness is a key attraction here: changes you make at the rotary dials are reflected immediately in the flame size, which helps with delicate tasks such as melting chocolate or holding a sauce just below boiling.
The cast iron pan supports not only look the part but also help to distribute weight evenly, supporting heavier pots and pans without flexing. Their durability is a plus for anyone who cooks frequently or uses cast iron cookware.
Safety is quietly well catered for. Automatic ignition reduces the risk of gas build-up when lighting, while the flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off act as backstops if a burner is blown out or left on without a flame. These are reassuring features, especially in busy family kitchens.
From a feature perspective, it is deliberately simple. There’s no digital display, timer, touch controls or smart connectivity. Instead, it focuses on doing the basics well: dependable gas heat, robust construction, LPG compatibility with a kit in the box, and a slim 3cm profile that sits neatly in modern worktops. In a crowded gas hob market, its main differentiators are design, the high‑power wok burner and Smeg’s build quality reputation.
At around £399, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is priced at the premium end for a standard 60cm four‑burner gas hob. You can certainly find cheaper alternatives that will still boil, fry and simmer effectively.
However, the value proposition rests on a few key points: the distinctive Victoria styling, sturdy cast iron supports, the inclusion of an ultra‑rapid wok burner and reassuring safety features as standard. For many buyers updating a kitchen, the appearance and feel of the hob matter just as much as raw specs.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests that most owners feel they’ve got what they paid for in terms of performance and quality. The 2‑year warranty is respectable, though some rivals do offer longer cover.
If you’re simply after the cheapest way to get four gas burners, this won’t be the best value choice. But if you want a stylish, well‑built hob from a premium brand and you’re happy to pay a little extra for it, the SR964NGH offers fair value for what it delivers.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well‑made, attractive 60cm gas hob that combines classic looks with modern safety and a powerful wok burner. It doesn’t try to be clever with touch controls or smart features; instead, it focuses on responsive heat, solid build quality and an easy‑to‑use layout.
Its main drawbacks are the premium price for a four‑burner hob and the lack of extras like a timer or child lock that some families might appreciate. The enamel surface also needs a bit of care to stay looking its best.
If you’re refurbishing a kitchen and want a gas hob that looks a cut above the basic options, with enough power for enthusiastic home cooking, this Smeg is a strong choice. Those on tighter budgets, or anyone wanting lots of digital features, may be better served by more modern‑looking alternatives, but for style‑conscious gas traditionalists it ticks most of the right boxes.