Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, aimed at cooks who want traditional gas control wrapped in classic Smeg styling. With four burners, solid cast iron pan supports and a dedicated wok burner, it’s designed to cover everything from weeknight suppers to more adventurous stir-fries.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium end of the market, and this hob follows that pattern: you’re paying for design, materials and brand reputation as much as for the spec sheet. Owners clearly feel it delivers, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating from user reviews, suggesting it’s a reliable, well-liked choice.
If you prefer the responsiveness of gas and want something that looks the part in a modern or period-style kitchen, the Victoria SR964NGH is positioned as a smart, style-conscious upgrade over a basic 60cm hob.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook most days and want a dependable, good-looking hob rather than a bare-bones budget option. Four burners will comfortably handle family meals, and the compact 60cm width fits standard cut-outs, making it ideal for typical UK kitchens.
It’s a strong fit if you like to stir-fry, sear steaks or boil large pans quickly, thanks to the ultra-rapid wok burner. Keen home cooks who enjoy a mix of everyday dishes and more involved recipes will appreciate the spread of burner sizes and the sturdy pan supports.
Budget-wise, this is best seen as a mid-to-premium choice rather than an entry-level buy. You’re paying more than for a basic white enamel hob, but getting Smeg’s design, cast iron supports and a powerful burner in return.
It’s also well suited to people upgrading an older gas hob: automatic ignition, flame failure safety and LPG compatibility (with kit included) make it a sensible, future-proof option for both mains gas and bottled gas setups.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, which delivers quick, intense heat for stir-fries, big pots of pasta or rapid boiling. It gives the hob extra headroom compared with basic four-burner models that only offer standard burners.
The heavy cast iron pan supports are another big plus. They feel solid under larger pans, give the hob a more premium look and help pots glide smoothly between burners without wobble.
Simple front-mounted rotary controls and automatic ignition keep operation fuss-free. There’s no need to reach over hot pans or fiddle with matches; a twist and push is enough to get cooking.
Safety is well covered, with flame failure devices and automatic safety shut off. If a flame goes out, the gas is cut off, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
LPG compatibility, with a conversion kit included, makes it versatile for homes without mains gas or for holiday properties where bottled gas is the norm.
There’s no dedicated timer or control panel lock, so you’ll still rely on a separate kitchen timer and need to be mindful of curious little hands around the dials.
The enamel surface, while classic and in keeping with the Victoria look, typically needs a bit more care to keep looking its best compared with some modern glass surfaces. Spills left to bake on can require a proper scrub.
At this price point, some rivals offer extra flourishes such as more burners, flexible zones or touch controls. If you’re less interested in the retro styling and more in sheer feature count, you may find stronger value elsewhere.
The two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional for a premium-branded appliance.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH aims for straightforward, no-nonsense cooking. The four burners are arranged to give a good mix of space and power, and the three different burner sizes mean you can match heat output to pan size without fuss.
Front-mounted rotary dials make it easy to see and adjust the flame while you’re cooking, and automatic ignition means each burner lights with a simple turn, avoiding repeated clicking or separate ignition buttons.
The cast iron pan supports span the hob to form a continuous, stable surface. Moving a heavy casserole from one burner to another feels secure, which is especially handy if you’re juggling multiple pots at once.
Cleaning is broadly straightforward but benefits from a quick wipe after use. The enamel surface will clean up well with non-abrasive products, and the removable pan supports can be lifted off for a more thorough clean when needed.
Installation will need a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the power requirements specify a plug or cable fitted by an electrician. Once fitted, though, using the hob is pleasingly simple and familiar for anyone used to cooking on gas.
Performance centres on a burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. The lower-power burners are well suited to gentle simmering, melting chocolate or keeping sauces warm, while the high-output burner delivers the blast of heat needed for searing and wok cooking.
The dedicated wok burner is a key differentiator over many entry-level 60cm hobs. It concentrates heat in the centre of the pan, so oil comes up to temperature quickly and ingredients stay crisp rather than stewing. It’s also great for bringing large pots of water to the boil in less time.
All four burners benefit from automatic ignition, so each one lights directly from its control knob. Combined with the front control panel position, you’re never stretching across the hob to make adjustments.
Safety has clearly been considered, with flame failure devices on the burners and an automatic safety shut off function. If a pan boils over and extinguishes the flame, gas flow stops, reducing the risk of leaks.
The hob’s enamel surface and cast iron supports lean into the Victoria range’s traditional styling. While there are no smart features or touch controls here, you do get a robust, familiar gas layout, LPG compatibility with the kit in the box, and a standard two-year manufacturer warranty for peace of mind.
This Smeg sits firmly in the mid-to-premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob. You can certainly pick up cheaper models with four burners, but they rarely combine a powerful wok burner, cast iron supports and this level of styling.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests that most owners feel they’ve got what they paid for, both in terms of performance and build quality. You’re buying into a respected Italian brand with a distinctive design language, which will appeal if your kitchen look matters as much as function.
If your priority is simply the lowest price, simpler hobs will undercut it. However, if you want something that looks and feels more substantial, with better pan supports and a high-output burner, the Victoria SR964NGH offers a fair balance of performance and design for the money.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, reliable 60cm gas hob that backs up its classic looks with solid everyday performance. The combination of a powerful wok burner, robust cast iron pan supports and straightforward rotary controls makes it a pleasure to cook on.
It’s not packed with advanced features like timers, touch controls or extra burners, and the enamel surface deserves regular care to stay pristine. But for most home cooks who prefer the feel of gas and want a hob that looks as good as it cooks, these are minor trade-offs.
If you’re upgrading from a basic four-burner hob and are happy to pay a bit more for Smeg’s design and a step up in quality, the Victoria SR964NGH is a very strong contender. Those who prioritise maximum specification over style may want to compare alternatives, but as an all-rounder it’s a well-judged, confidence-inspiring choice.