The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, designed to bring classic Smeg styling and solid cooking performance to a standard-sized kitchen. With four burners, including a powerful wok zone, it’s aimed at households that cook regularly and want something a bit smarter than a basic stainless hob.
This is very much a mid to upper mid-range model, reflecting Smeg’s premium positioning and the traditional Victoria design. You’re paying for looks and build quality as much as the specification, but owners seem to feel it’s worth it: the hob holds an excellent 4.8 out of 5 rating from user reviews, with a solid number of people feeding back.
If you’re upgrading an older gas hob and want a reliable, attractive model that’s easy to live with rather than stacked with high-tech extras, this Smeg is a strong contender.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH suits households that cook most days and want a dependable, traditional gas hob with a smarter finish. The 60cm width and four-burner layout are ideal for standard UK kitchens, from flats to family homes, where space is limited but you still need room for multiple pans on the go.
It’s a good fit if you enjoy proper hob cooking – pan frying, sautéing, and especially stir-fries. The dedicated wok burner delivers quick, intense heat, making it attractive for those who like Asian-style dishes or simply want fast boiling and searing power.
Budget-wise, this is best for buyers looking in the mid-range to premium bracket rather than the cheapest option in the catalogue. You’re getting enamelled surface, cast iron pan supports and reassuring safety features rather than a stripped-back, entry-level unit.
Because the controls are straightforward rotary dials and ignition is automatic, it’s also well suited to anyone who prefers simple, familiar operation over touch controls and complicated extras – great for family kitchens, rental upgrades and those replacing an older gas hob.
The combination of four burners and a dedicated wok burner makes this hob genuinely versatile. You can simmer on the smaller zones while using the ultra-rapid burner for big pans of pasta, curries or fast stir-fries, so you’re rarely short of power or space for everyday cooking.
Cast iron pan supports are a real plus at this price point. They feel solid, give your pans a stable base and stand up well to regular use, adding to the hob’s premium feel and long-term durability compared with flimsier enamelled supports.
Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials keep operation simple and quick. One-handed lighting is especially helpful when juggling pans or holding a heavy pot, and the front controls mean you’re not leaning over hot burners to adjust the flame.
Safety is well covered with a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off. If a flame goes out unexpectedly, the gas supply is cut, which is reassuring in busy family kitchens.
It’s also LPG compatible with a conversion kit included, so if you run bottled gas or plan to in future, you won’t need to buy extra parts to make it work.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, so you miss out on a couple of convenience and safety touches that some modern hobs offer, particularly if you’re used to digital controls or want extra protection around children.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the traditional look, can show marks and burnt-on spills more readily than some modern glass or stainless finishes, so you may need to be a little more diligent with cleaning to keep it looking pristine.
At this price level, some buyers might expect extra refinements such as more advanced flame control features or additional specialist zones. The Smeg focuses on solid basics rather than bells and whistles, which may feel a touch sparse if you’re after cutting-edge features.
The warranty is a standard 2 years for domestic use. It’s adequate, but a longer guarantee would add extra peace of mind for an appliance at the premium end of the mid-range.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be straightforward to live with. The four burners are well spaced for a 60cm hob, so you can use a couple of larger pans without feeling too cramped, especially on the wok burner.
Automatic ignition means you simply turn the rotary dial and the burner lights, with no need for matches or a separate ignition button. The front control position makes it easy to fine-tune each flame while keeping an eye on your cooking, and the rotary dials are intuitive even for guests or less confident cooks.
The sturdy cast iron pan supports give a feeling of confidence when moving heavy pots around. They create a level cooking surface across the hob, so sliding pans between burners is smooth and controlled. Their weight does mean they’re a little heavier to lift off for cleaning, but they’re robust and stable in everyday use.
Cleaning will mainly involve wiping down the enamel surface and occasionally removing the supports and burner caps. There are no complicated recesses or electronic touch panels to worry about, which keeps maintenance fairly straightforward, provided spills are dealt with reasonably quickly.
Installation-wise, it will need both a Gas Safe registered engineer for the gas connection and an electrician to attach the plug or cable, so it’s not a DIY job – but that’s standard for built-in gas hobs.
In terms of performance, the SR964NGH covers the essentials well. The burner power range of 1.05 to 3.3 kW gives a useful spread from gentle simmering to strong, rolling boils. The ultra-rapid burner doubles as a wok zone, delivering quick, concentrated heat that’s ideal for stir-fries, searing meat or rapidly heating large pots of water.
With four burners and three different burner sizes, you can match the flame to your pan to avoid wasted heat and improve control. Smaller burners are great for sauces and low-and-slow dishes, while the larger zones step in when you need speed.
The enamel hob surface is traditional but practical, providing a hard-wearing base that pairs nicely with the cast iron pan supports. These supports not only add to the premium look but also help distribute heat evenly under pans by keeping them well-centred over the flame.
Safety-wise, the hob includes a flame failure device on each burner and automatic safety shut off. If a pan boils over or a draft blows the flame out, gas flow will stop, which is an important feature on any modern gas appliance.
Flexibility is enhanced by LPG compatibility, with a conversion kit included in the box. Whether your home is connected to mains gas or runs on bottled LPG, the hob can be configured to suit, making it a more future-proof choice if you’re likely to move or change supply.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits in the mid to upper price band for a 60cm gas hob, reflecting its premium brand and stylish design. You’re not buying the cheapest option, but you are getting a step up in materials and finish compared with many budget models.
For the money, the specification is deliberately focused rather than flashy: solid cast iron supports, a high-powered wok burner, automatic ignition and strong safety features. There are no advanced timers or touch controls, but what is included is well executed and practical for everyday cooking.
The excellent 4.8 out of 5 user rating suggests owners feel they’ve had good value overall, especially when you factor in the Italian build quality and the classic styling that can lift the look of a traditional or shaker-style kitchen.
If you want the lowest possible price or lots of digital extras, there are cheaper or more feature-rich alternatives. But if you value build quality, reliable performance and design, this hob offers a fair balance of cost and quality.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-judged gas hob for households that cook regularly and appreciate classic design. It combines a powerful wok burner, dependable everyday performance and sturdy cast iron supports in a 60cm footprint that will suit most UK kitchens.
You’re paying a little extra for the Smeg badge and the traditional Victoria styling, and you don’t get many advanced features such as timers or child locks. But what you do get is a robust, simple-to-use hob with strong safety credentials and the flexibility to run on either mains gas or LPG.
If you’re after a smart, reliable upgrade from a basic hob and prefer tactile dials to touch controls, this model is easy to recommend. Those who prioritise high-tech features over design and build might want to compare alternatives, but for many home cooks this Smeg strikes a very appealing balance.
