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 spec. Finished in black enamel with chunky cast iron pan supports, it’s designed to complement classic and shaker-style kitchens while still offering the control and speed of an open flame.
With four burners including a powerful wok zone, automatic ignition and key safety features, this is a straightforward but premium-feeling hob rather than a gadget-packed showpiece. The price sits toward the upper end of the 60cm gas hob market, reflecting Smeg’s positioning as a stylish, aspirational brand.
Owners clearly rate it highly: an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews suggests it’s impressing real kitchens on a daily basis, both in performance and build quality.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal if you want a traditional-looking hob with modern gas performance. Its 60cm width is the standard size for most UK kitchens, making it a good fit for typical family homes and flats where you’re replacing an existing hob rather than redesigning the whole layout.
It suits confident home cooks who like to cook from scratch, especially if you use a wok or large pans. The ultra-rapid burner delivers intense heat that’s perfect for stir-fries, searing meat or getting big pots of water up to the boil quickly.
Budget-wise, this is a premium choice rather than a bargain buy. You’re paying for Smeg styling, robust cast iron supports and Italian build quality as much as for raw features. If you simply want the cheapest way to boil pasta, it will do that very well but you might find more basic models for less.
If you prefer simple, tactile controls over touch panels and don’t need smart features or timers built into the hob, this model’s rotary dials and straightforward layout will appeal. It’s especially good for those upgrading an older gas hob and wanting something that feels solid and familiar, but more refined.
The four-burner layout with three different burner sizes gives you flexibility, from gently simmering sauces on the smaller zones to full-on frying on the larger ones. There’s a dedicated wok burner too, which provides quick, intense heat that standard burners often struggle to match.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports span the hob and give it a properly premium feel. They help keep pans stable, including heavier casserole dishes and woks, and they stand up well to daily use compared with flimsier wire supports.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials makes lighting each burner straightforward – press, turn and you’re cooking, without juggling a separate ignition button or matches. The front-mounted controls are easy to see and reach, which is convenient if you’re cooking on multiple burners at once.
On the safety front, the flame failure device and automatic safety shut off add reassurance. If a flame goes out, the gas is cut off, which is especially important in busy family kitchens.
Being LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit is a bonus if you’re running on bottled gas or planning a future move where mains gas isn’t guaranteed.
Despite the premium branding and price, this hob is relatively simple in terms of extra features. There’s no integrated timer, no control panel lock and no fancy touch controls or specialist simmer settings, which some similarly priced rivals now offer.
The surface is enamel rather than glass, which suits the classic look but can require more effort to keep looking pristine if spills are left to bake on. Those who prefer the ultra-sleek wipe-clean feel of a glass ceramic top may find this a little more traditional than they’d like.
Front-mounted rotary dials are convenient, but they can be easier for small children to reach, and with no control panel lock you’re relying on supervision and the flame failure safety for peace of mind.
Finally, while the two-year warranty is decent, some competing premium brands offer longer cover on certain models, which would be reassuring for an appliance that’s designed to last many years.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is all about straightforward, predictable cooking. The four burners are well spaced for a 60cm hob, so you can use a couple of larger pans together without everything feeling cramped. The continuous cast iron supports make it easy to slide pans from one burner to another when you need to juggle heat levels.
Lighting the hob is quick: with automatic ignition built into each control, the flame sparks up as you turn the dial, and the clear, firm action gives you good feedback as you move between heat levels. The front control position means you don’t have to lean over hot pans, which makes it more comfortable and safer in daily use.
Cleaning is typical of a traditional enamel gas hob. The pan supports lift off, and the enamel surface can be wiped down with standard kitchen cleaners. Enamel is tough, but to keep it looking its best it’s worth wiping spills soon after cooking rather than letting them burn on repeatedly.
Because it’s integrated, you’ll need both a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, but once installed it’s a fit-and-forget appliance with no ongoing filters or cartridges to worry about. You just cook, wipe it down and carry on.
In terms of raw performance, the burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3kW gives you a useful spread. The smaller burners are gentle enough for simmering sauces or melting chocolate without scorching, while the ultra-rapid burner gets pans up to temperature quickly. That broad range makes it easy to move from low, steady heat to a full rolling boil.
The standout is the dedicated wok burner. Positioned to give your wok concentrated, high-intensity heat, it’s ideal for proper stir-frying where you want crisp vegetables and good caramelisation, not a slow steam. It also doubles up nicely for big stockpots or pasta pans when you’re cooking for a crowd.
Feature-wise, this hob focuses on the essentials and does them well. Automatic ignition on all burners, clear rotary controls and a simple layout keep operation instinctive. There’s no built-in timer or digital display, but many cooks prefer using a separate timer or oven clock anyway.
Safety and flexibility are quietly strong points. A flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off help reduce the risk of gas build-up if a flame accidentally goes out. The fact that it’s LPG compatible with a conversion kit included makes it suitable for homes on bottled gas, holiday properties and future-proof if your gas supply situation changes.
The enamel surface and cast iron pan supports are classic choices in this category, giving the hob a substantial feel under heavy cookware. In a crowded 60cm gas hob market, the Victoria SR964NGH stands out less for advanced tech and more for pairing solid performance with a timeless, coordinated look for Smeg Victoria kitchens.
At around £399, this is priced towards the premium end of 60cm gas hobs. You can certainly find cheaper options that will boil water and fry an egg, but they won’t usually offer the same combination of brand styling, build quality and powerful wok burner.
You’re paying a noticeable premium for the Smeg name, the traditional Victoria design and those heavy-duty cast iron supports. If you simply want a basic hob and don’t care about looks or brand, its value proposition is less compelling.
However, the strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests owners feel they’re getting their money’s worth, particularly in terms of performance and finish. Add in the two-year manufacturer warranty and LPG flexibility, and it becomes a sensible investment for a stylish kitchen where the hob is on show rather than hidden away.
Overall, it represents good value if you’re already leaning towards Smeg or want a coordinated classic look, and acceptable value if your main priority is pure function with a bit of extra quality on top.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that focuses on solid performance and timeless styling rather than flashy extras. Its powerful wok burner, generous cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls make everyday cooking easy and reliable.
It’s not the most feature-packed hob at this price – you won’t find touch controls, built-in timers or child locks here – and the enamel surface does require a bit of care to keep looking pristine. But if you value classic looks, robust construction and a brand with a strong reputation, those trade-offs are easy to live with.
If you’re upgrading an older gas hob, love cooking with a wok and are building a traditional or Smeg-themed kitchen, this model is an excellent choice. If you’re on a tight budget or prioritise modern glass styling and smart features, you may want to look at more contemporary alternatives before deciding.