Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with four burners, wrapped in the brand’s signature retro styling. Finished in black enamel with chunky, front-mounted rotary dials, it’s designed to look the part in a traditional or country-style kitchen while still feeling reassuringly solid.
With a dedicated wok burner, cast iron pan supports and automatic ignition, this is a straightforward but well-specified hob aimed at cooks who prefer the instant control of gas. It sits in the mid-to-premium bracket for a 60cm gas hob, reflecting Smeg’s positioning as a style-led, quality brand rather than a budget option.
Owners rate it very highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a decent number of reviews, suggesting the mix of design, build and everyday usability lives up to expectations.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for small to medium households that want a stylish 60cm hob without compromising on sturdy construction. With four burners and three different burner sizes, it suits everyday family cooking, from boiling pasta to simmering sauces.
It’s a good fit if you enjoy stir-fries or high-heat searing, thanks to the ultra-rapid wok burner. This gives you that intense, responsive flame you need for a proper wok or large frying pan, something many basic 4-burner hobs still lack.
Budget-wise, it will appeal more to buyers who are prepared to spend a bit extra for design and brand reputation. If you simply want the cheapest possible gas hob, this isn’t it, but if you’re upgrading a kitchen and want a coordinated, premium look, it makes sense.
It also suits users who prefer simple, tactile controls rather than touch panels and complex settings. The rotary dials and automatic ignition make it straightforward for first-time buyers, while keen home cooks will appreciate the precise flame control and robust cast iron supports.
The standout strength of the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is its combination of classic design and solid build. The cast iron pan supports feel substantial, giving pans a stable base and coping well with heavier cookware like cast iron casseroles or large woks.
The inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner is a real plus at this size. It delivers quick, intense heat, so you can properly flash-fry, sear steaks, or bring big pots to the boil faster than on standard burners.
Everyday usability is strong too. Automatic ignition and front-mounted rotary dials make it very easy to light and adjust the flame with one hand. There’s also a flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut off, adding peace of mind if the flame accidentally goes out.
The low profile (just 3cm high) and 60cm width make it an easy replacement for most standard hobs, and the included LPG conversion kit is handy if you’re on bottled gas.
You’re paying a premium for the Smeg name and the Victoria styling, while the core spec remains fairly straightforward. There are no extras like timers, residual heat indicators or a control panel lock, features you’ll sometimes find on similarly priced alternatives.
The enamel surface, while in keeping with the retro look, can show marks more quickly than some modern glass surfaces and may require a bit more effort to keep looking pristine.
There’s also no integrated timer or smart features, so if you like tech-heavy appliances with digital displays and cooking presets, this hob will feel quite traditional.
Finally, the two-year warranty is decent but not exceptional at this price point, and you’ll still need to budget for a Gas Safe engineer and an electrician for installation, as the gas hose is not included and the hob requires a plug or cable fitting.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is designed to be fuss-free. Automatic ignition means you simply press and turn the dial to light each burner, avoiding the need for separate ignition buttons or matches. The front-mounted controls are easy to reach, so you’re not stretching across hot pans.
The four-burner layout and three different burner sizes give you a practical spread of options, from a small burner for gentle simmering to the ultra-rapid zone for fast boiling or wok cooking. Cast iron supports help pans sit securely, which is especially useful when you’re juggling multiple dishes.
Cleaning is relatively straightforward: the pan supports lift off, and the enamel surface can be wiped down. It’s not quite as effortless as a flat glass hob, but the traditional look will appeal to many, and regular wiping should keep it tidy.
Installation needs a little planning. The hob is an integrated model, so it’s designed to drop into a worktop cut-out, and you’ll need both an electrician to attach a plug or cable and a Gas Safe engineer to connect the gas. Once fitted, though, it’s a simple, reliable workhorse with no complicated menus to learn.
Performance centres on four gas burners with a power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW. This covers gentle heat for delicate sauces right through to powerful flames for searing and fast boiling. The dedicated wok burner is the headline feature, offering ultra-rapid heat that outperforms standard burners when you need serious intensity.
The hob surface is finished in enamel, which gives it a traditional appearance and pairs well with the rest of the Victoria range. Underneath your cookware, the cast iron pan supports are a meaningful upgrade over lighter wire designs. They spread the weight evenly, resist warping and help pans stay put when you’re stirring more vigorously.
Safety is well handled. A flame failure device on the burners cuts off the gas supply if the flame goes out, reducing the risk of gas leaks. There’s also automatic safety shut off, which adds another layer of reassurance, particularly in busy family kitchens.
Control is deliberately simple. Rotary dials give you granular adjustment over the flame, and automatic ignition means each burner lights as you turn the control. There’s no timer, display or lock, so it feels more like a classic hob than a high-tech one – something many gas cooking purists will actually prefer.
For flexibility of installation, the hob is both LPG compatible and convertible, with the kit included. That makes it suitable for homes that run on bottled gas, holiday properties or rural kitchens where mains gas isn’t available, without needing extra accessories.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits towards the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, mainly because of its styling and brand rather than an unusually long feature list. You’re paying for the look, the solid feel of the cast iron supports and Smeg’s Italian design credentials.
In terms of features, it offers what most cooks genuinely need: four burners, one of them a powerful wok burner, plus automatic ignition and key safety functions. There’s nothing radical here, but everything important is covered, and the execution feels more upmarket than entry-level models.
The strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 from multiple reviews suggests buyers generally feel they’ve received good value, despite the higher price. If your priority is a stylish, durable hob that complements a more premium kitchen, the cost is easy to justify. If you simply want function at the lowest possible spend, there are cheaper, more basic alternatives that will still get the job done.
Overall, it represents good – if not bargain-basement – value for households that care about both performance and aesthetics.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, good-looking 60cm gas hob that delivers reliable everyday performance with a dash of retro charm. The wok burner, cast iron supports and straightforward rotary controls make it a pleasure to cook on, while safety features like flame failure cut-off inspire confidence.
Its main compromises are on bells and whistles: there’s no timer, child lock or digital display, and the enamel surface will reward regular cleaning. You’re also paying a little extra for the Smeg badge and design.
If you value classic styling, sturdy construction and the cooking control that only gas can give, this hob is a very strong choice for a small to medium kitchen. Those seeking a rock-bottom price or lots of advanced features might prefer to look elsewhere, but for many homes this strikes a very satisfying balance of looks, performance and everyday simplicity.