The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob finished in black enamel, designed for those who want traditional gas cooking with a touch of vintage style. With four burners, including a powerful wok zone, it’s aimed at busy home kitchens that like to mix everyday meals with the odd stir-fry or seared steak.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium camp, and this hob reflects that: it focuses on solid build quality, cast iron pan supports and reassuring safety features rather than flashy extras. At around £379, it’s not a budget choice for a gas hob of this size, but the specification and strong brand pedigree help justify the spend.
Owners clearly rate it highly, with a 4.8 out of 5 user score from multiple reviews, suggesting that real-world performance and reliability live up to the promise on paper.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook most days and want a dependable, good-looking gas hob at the heart of the kitchen. The 60cm width and four-burner layout make it a natural fit for standard UK kitchens, whether you’re replacing an old built-in hob or finishing off a new fitted design.
It suits home cooks who appreciate the responsiveness of gas and like to cook a mix of sauces, pasta, one-pan dishes and the occasional wok-based stir-fry. The dedicated ultra-rapid wok burner provides the intense heat needed for searing, so it’s a good match for more adventurous cooks without stepping into professional territory.
In budget terms, it’s best thought of as a mid-to-high-end option. If you simply want the cheapest four-burner hob, there are leaner models out there. If you care about styling, robust cast iron supports and a recognised premium brand, this Smeg starts to make a lot more sense.
It’s also a sensible choice for those who prefer straightforward controls. The front-mounted rotary dials and automatic ignition keep things simple, so it’s accessible for less techy users, older family members and first-time buyers who don’t want to fiddle with touch controls or complex settings.
The standout here is the powerful wok/ultra-rapid burner, which delivers quick, intense heat. That makes a real difference for stir-fries, searing meat and rapidly bringing large pans of water to the boil, cutting down waiting times on busy evenings.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel. They hold pans securely and cope better with heavy cookware than lighter enamel or wire alternatives, which is reassuring when you’re juggling multiple pots at once.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials keeps day-to-day use simple: turn the knob and the gas lights without juggling matches or separate ignition buttons. Combined with the front control panel, it’s easy to see and adjust each burner while you’re cooking.
Safety is another strong point. The flame failure safety device and automatic safety shut-off help cut the gas supply if a flame goes out unexpectedly, adding peace of mind in busy family kitchens.
Finally, the low-profile 3cm height and classic black enamel finish give it a smart, retro-inspired look that pairs well with other Smeg Victoria appliances and doesn’t dominate smaller worktops.
For a four-burner 60cm gas hob, the asking price is on the higher side, largely due to the Smeg name and styling rather than a long list of advanced features. If you’re not bothered about design or brand, you can find cheaper alternatives that will still cook effectively.
There’s no timer or control panel lock, so you don’t get the extra convenience or child-safety reassurance that some modern hobs now offer. Families with very young children may miss the ability to lock the controls.
The enamel surface, while attractive, can show scratches and marks more readily if you’re rough with heavy pans. It generally cleans well, but you’ll want to avoid abrasive pads to keep it looking its best.
Lastly, installation requires both an electrician to attach a plug or cable and a Gas Safe engineer to connect the gas supply, and the hose isn’t included. That’s normal for built-in gas hobs, but it does mean you need to budget for professional fitting.
Day to day, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is straightforward to live with. The four burners, spread across a 59.5cm-wide surface, provide enough space for typical family cooking – think a large pan of pasta, a frying pan, a side pan and the kettle on the go without feeling cramped.
Lighting the burners is quick and intuitive: the automatic ignition is integrated into the rotary dials, so you simply turn and press to spark the flame. The front-mounted controls are easy to reach and see, which is especially handy if your hob sits beneath an extractor hood.
The cast iron pan supports feel reassuringly solid, so pans don’t wobble when you’re stirring or moving them between burners. Their continuous design also makes it easier to slide heavy pots around rather than lifting them, though it does mean removing larger sections when you want to clean underneath.
Cleaning is typical of a traditional gas hob. The enamel surface wipes down with a soft cloth and suitable cleaner once it has cooled, and the pan supports can be lifted off for access. There’s no self-cleaning trickery here, but the relatively flat surface and minimal crevices help keep maintenance manageable.
Because it’s a standard 60cm footprint and just 3cm high, it integrates neatly into most worktops without intruding on your prep space, and its classic black finish blends easily into a range of kitchen styles.
Performance-wise, the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH covers the essentials well. With a burner power range from 1.05 to 3.3kW, it offers gentle heat for simmering sauces on the smaller zones and strong, focused power on the larger burners. The ultra-rapid wok burner is particularly useful for tasks that need fast, high heat.
The four-burner layout and three different burner sizes make it flexible for everyday cooking. You can keep a delicate sauce ticking over on a low-output burner while pushing a big pan of water or a wok to full power on the ultra-rapid zone, reducing the need to constantly juggle pots.
Safety features are reassuringly comprehensive for a gas hob. The flame failure safety device cuts off the gas if a flame is extinguished, reducing the risk of gas build-up, and automatic safety shut-off adds an additional layer of protection if something goes wrong.
In terms of construction, the enamel surface is paired with cast iron pan supports, striking a balance between durability and ease of cleaning. The supports are designed to be robust and long-lasting, while the enamel finish keeps the overall look cohesive with other Smeg Victoria appliances.
Installation-friendly touches include LPG compatibility and an included conversion kit, so it can be set up for bottled gas as well as mains. That makes it a flexible option for homes without a natural gas supply, holiday homes or properties where LPG is the norm.
At £379, this Smeg sits in the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, especially given it offers a fairly classic four-burner layout rather than lots of extra functions. You’re paying partly for the brand’s design language and Italian build, and partly for the quality of materials such as the cast iron supports and safety systems.
If you simply want basic gas cooking at the lowest possible price, there are cheaper hobs that will do the job. Where the SR964NGH earns its keep is in the combination of strong owner satisfaction, solid construction and a powerful wok burner that lifts everyday performance.
The 4.8/5 user rating suggests buyers generally feel they’ve had good value, particularly when you factor in the two-year manufacturer warranty and the LPG conversion kit included in the box. It’s best seen as an investment piece for a kitchen you plan to keep for a good few years, rather than a stopgap budget buy.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a well-built, stylish 60cm gas hob that combines classic looks with modern safety and a genuinely useful high-power wok burner. It’s clearly aimed at home cooks who want reliable, responsive gas cooking wrapped in a design that complements a more traditional or retro-inspired kitchen.
It isn’t the most feature-packed hob on the market, and the price reflects the Smeg name and design as much as the specification. There’s no timer or control lock, and installation costs need to be considered. But if you value robust cast iron supports, reassuring safety features and a strong user reputation, it offers a compelling blend of performance and style.
For those upgrading an older hob or completing a coordinated Smeg Victoria kitchen, this model is an excellent choice. Budget-focused buyers, or those who want advanced digital controls and smart functions, may be better served elsewhere.
