Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob with traditional styling and modern safety features, finished in a smart black enamel. With four burners, chunky cast iron pan supports and a dedicated wok burner, it’s clearly aimed at home cooks who still prefer the responsiveness of gas.
Sitting firmly in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, this model puts design and build quality ahead of bells and whistles. A strong 4.8 out of 5 rating from owners suggests that approach has paid off, with most buyers very happy with how it looks and performs day to day.
If you want a reliable, good-looking gas hob to partner a Smeg oven or complete a more traditional kitchen, the Victoria SR964NGH is an appealing, well-reviewed option.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly and want a dependable, stylish hob rather than the cheapest option. Its four-burner layout suits most medium-sized kitchens and typical family cooking, from weekday pasta to Sunday roasts.
It’s particularly well suited to keen home cooks who use a range of pan sizes, thanks to three different burner sizes and a powerful ultra-rapid wok burner. If you enjoy stir-fries, searing steaks or fast boiling, that extra punch will be very welcome.
Budget-wise, this is a premium 60cm gas hob rather than an entry-level choice. It will appeal if you value solid cast iron pan supports, Italian build and a cohesive look with other Smeg Victoria appliances. First-time buyers on a tight budget may find cheaper alternatives, but they’re unlikely to match the styling or feel as robust.
It’s also a good fit for homes that might move from mains gas to LPG, as the hob is LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, making it flexible for rural or caravan-style installations (with the correct professional fitting).
Four burners with three different sizes give you flexibility, so you can match heat output to anything from a small milk pan to a large stockpot without wasting gas.
The dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner delivers quick, intense heat that’s ideal for stir-frying, fast boiling and high-heat cooking, something many basic hobs simply don’t offer.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports span the hob and feel reassuringly solid, helping pans stay stable when stirring heavy sauces or moving cookware around.
Automatic ignition on the rotary dials makes lighting each burner straightforward – no need for matches or separate ignition buttons.
Safety is well covered, with automatic safety shut-off and flame failure devices that cut the gas if the flame goes out, offering peace of mind in busy family kitchens.
The black enamel surface and classic Victoria styling look smart and coordinate well with other Smeg appliances, especially in more traditional or shaker-style kitchens.
There’s no integrated timer or control panel lock, so you’ll need to rely on a separate kitchen timer and take care in homes with very young children.
The enamel surface can mark or scratch more easily than glass or stainless steel if you’re rough when moving the cast iron supports, so a bit of care is needed when cleaning.
As a premium-brand 60cm hob, the price is higher than many basic alternatives, yet it doesn’t include more advanced extras such as automatic pan detection or digital displays found on some modern hobs (particularly induction models).
The standard 2-year warranty is decent but not exceptional at this price point, where some rivals offer longer cover.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out and easy to grip, so adjusting the flame while you cook feels intuitive. Automatic ignition means each burner sparks into life as soon as you turn the control, which quickly becomes second nature.
The four-burner layout is familiar and practical: a smaller burner for gentle simmering, standard burners for everyday cooking, and the ultra-rapid burner for high-heat tasks. The cast iron pan supports create a stable, continuous platform, so sliding pans between burners is smooth and secure.
The black enamel surface wipes down reasonably easily after a spill, though the pan supports will need to be lifted off for a proper clean. Their weight adds to the feeling of quality but does mean cleaning is a little more involved than on lighter, less robust hobs.
Installation requires both an electrician (to attach the plug or cable) and a Gas Safe engineer for the gas connection. Once fitted correctly, there’s little ongoing fuss beyond normal cleaning, and the built-in safety shut-off and flame failure devices provide reassuring back-up during everyday use.
In performance terms, the Victoria SR964NGH focuses on solid, controllable heat rather than gimmicks. The burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW covers everything from low-and-slow simmering to rapid boiling. The ultra-rapid burner is the star here, making short work of woks, large pans and tasks that demand high heat.
Flame failure safety devices on the burners mean that if a pan boils over or a draught blows the flame out, the gas is automatically cut off. Combined with the automatic safety shut-off, this is a reassuring layer of protection, especially in busy households.
The enamel hob surface provides a classic, slightly retro look that matches the rest of the Smeg Victoria range. While it lacks the sleek gloss of glass, enamel is tough and heat resistant, and the black finish helps spills and marks blend in a little better between cleans.
Cast iron pan supports are a real upgrade over cheaper wire designs. They distribute weight more evenly and help maintain a level cooking surface across all four burners. Home cooks who use heavier cookware, such as cast iron pans or large stockpots, will particularly appreciate the stability.
The hob is also LPG compatible and supplied with a conversion kit, which adds flexibility if you’re not on mains gas. Automatic ignition and simple rotary controls keep operation fuss-free, though there are no advanced extras such as timers, touch controls or smart connectivity – this is a traditional gas hob with modern safety and a premium finish.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH sits on the more expensive side of standard 60cm gas hobs, reflecting its premium branding, Italian manufacture and traditional design. You’re paying as much for the aesthetic and build quality as for the raw specification.
However, the strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5, backed by a solid number of reviews, suggests that most owners feel it justifies the investment. The combination of a powerful wok burner, robust cast iron supports, flame safety systems and LPG compatibility goes beyond what’s offered on many budget models.
If you’re simply after the cheapest way to boil a pan of pasta, there are more affordable hobs that will do the job. But if you want a hob that looks the part in a carefully designed kitchen, matches other Smeg Victoria appliances and feels built to last, the price becomes easier to defend. Overall, it offers good value for those prioritising style and solidity over extra features.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-executed 60cm gas hob that blends classic looks with dependable performance. Its four burners, including a powerful wok zone, cover everyday cooking with ease, while the cast iron pan supports and black enamel finish give it a reassuringly sturdy, premium feel.
It’s not packed with high-tech extras, and the lack of a timer or control lock may disappoint some buyers. The enamel surface also demands a bit of care to keep looking its best. But the strong owner reviews, solid safety features and flexible LPG compatibility underline that this is a thoughtfully designed, reliable piece of kit.
If you’re willing to pay a little more for design, build quality and a cohesive look with other Smeg appliances, the Victoria SR964NGH is a very strong choice. Those on tighter budgets, or anyone wanting advanced digital features, may want to explore alternatives, but as a traditional premium gas hob it’s hard to fault.