Home » Product Reviews » Smeg Victoria SR964NGH 60cm Gas Hob review
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a 60cm built-in gas hob in black, designed to bring traditional styling and solid, dependable performance to a modern kitchen. With four burners, chunky cast iron pan supports and front-mounted rotary dials, it keeps things reassuringly simple.
Smeg sits firmly in the premium camp, and this hob follows that pattern. You’re paying for design and build as much as for features, but owners clearly feel it delivers – it holds an excellent 4.8 out of 5 rating from user reviews, suggesting most people are very happy with their purchase.
If you like the idea of a classic-looking gas hob with a powerful wok burner and sturdy feel rather than flashy smart features, this model is squarely in that space.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is ideal for households that cook regularly but don’t need a huge five or six burner layout. Four burners, including a dedicated high-output wok burner, are well suited to couples and families who want the flexibility to sear, simmer and boil at the same time without taking up too much worktop space.
With its premium price positioning and retro Victoria styling, it’s a strong fit if you’re upgrading a kitchen and care about how your appliances look as well as how they perform. It will particularly appeal if you already own other Smeg Victoria appliances and want a coordinated, built-in look.
The controls are deliberately straightforward, so it’s a good choice for anyone who prefers simple rotary dials over touch controls or digital displays. First-time buyers and confident home cooks alike will find it easy to live with, and the automatic ignition means no matches or lighters are needed.
It also suits homes on mains gas or LPG, thanks to the included conversion kit. If you live in a rural property on bottled gas but still want a stylish, integrated hob, this flexibility is a real plus.
The standout feature is the ultra-rapid wok burner, providing quick, intense heat up to 3.3 kW. That’s ideal for stir-fries, searing steaks or bringing large pans of water to the boil much faster than a standard burner.
Sturdy cast iron pan supports give the hob a solid, professional feel and make it easier to slide pans between zones without lifting. They’re more durable than basic enamel supports and help keep everything stable, especially with heavier cookware.
Automatic ignition built into the rotary dials keeps operation fuss-free – you simply turn the knob and the burner lights. Flame failure devices on the burners cut the gas if the flame goes out, adding an important safety layer, particularly in busy family kitchens.
The 60cm width and low 3cm profile mean it drops neatly into standard worktop cut-outs, and the black enamel surface ties in nicely with many modern ovens, especially other Smeg Victoria models. A 2-year manufacturer warranty provides decent peace of mind for a built-in appliance at this level.
For a premium-priced hob, the feature set is intentionally quite traditional. There’s no timer, no control panel lock and no advanced functions like flame-level indicators or digital displays, which some mid-range rivals now offer.
The enamel surface looks smart but won’t be quite as resistant to marks and fine scratches as high-quality stainless steel or glass. Keeping it looking pristine may take a little more care, especially if you frequently drag heavy cast iron pans across it.
Front-mounted controls are convenient, but they also sit closer to splashes and spills from large pans. While this is common on gas hobs, it does mean you’ll need to wipe the dials more frequently to keep them clean.
Finally, the 2-year warranty is respectable but not exceptional in this price bracket, where some competitors stretch to longer cover on built-in appliances.
Living with the Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is all about straightforward, tactile control. The front-mounted rotary dials are clearly laid out, so choosing the right burner is instinctive, and the automatic ignition sparks the flame as you turn – no extra buttons or lighter required.
The four-burner layout, with three different burner sizes, makes it easy to match pans to the right zone. The powerful wok burner is excellent for large frying pans or woks, while the smaller burner is well suited to gentle simmering of sauces and soups without constant adjustment.
Cast iron pan supports provide a stable cooking surface and make shifting pans around feel secure. They cover the hob well, so there are no awkward gaps where smaller pans might tilt. The trade-off is that they’re a little heavier to lift off for cleaning, but they do give the hob a very solid, premium feel.
Cleaning the enamel surface is relatively straightforward with a soft cloth and suitable cleaner. Because the design is quite simple, there are fewer crevices for dirt to hide in, though you’ll want to keep on top of spills around the front controls to avoid buildup. Day to day, it feels like a dependable, easy-to-use gas hob rather than a gadget-laden showpiece.
Performance-wise, the SR964NGH covers the essentials well. The burner power range from 1.05 kW up to 3.3 kW gives you a good spread from gentle heat to a strong, rolling boil. The ultra-rapid burner delivers the punch you want for quick cooking, while the smaller zones cater for delicate tasks.
Gas hobs still appeal because of their instant response, and this Smeg is no exception. Flame adjustment via the rotary dials is smooth, making it easy to fine-tune heat levels. The enamel surface helps reflect light around the pan area, so you can see the flame clearly and judge heat at a glance.
Safety is handled via automatic flame failure devices on the burners and an automatic safety shut-off, which step in if a flame is accidentally extinguished. This is especially reassuring in open-plan spaces or busy households where pots may be moved around quickly.
From a feature perspective, the focus is more on fundamentals than extras. There’s no built-in timer or child lock, and you won’t find touch controls or smart connectivity. Instead, you get robust cast iron supports, automatic ignition and LPG compatibility with a conversion kit included. For many cooks, these are the practical features that matter day to day.
Overall, it’s a strong performer for traditional gas cooking, prioritising power, safety and build quality over advanced electronics. If you prefer a classic knob-and-flame experience with a premium finish, it ticks the key boxes.
This Smeg Victoria hob sits towards the premium end of the 60cm gas hob market, reflected in both the brand and the price. You’re paying for its distinctive design, solid cast iron supports and Italian build quality rather than a long list of modern extras.
In terms of performance, the inclusion of an ultra-rapid wok burner, automatic ignition and full flame failure protection helps justify the cost. The hob does the fundamentals very well, and the high user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests owners feel they’ve received good value despite the higher initial outlay.
If your priority is the lowest possible price or lots of electronic features, there are cheaper or more tech-heavy models available. But if you want a stylish, classic-looking hob from a well-regarded premium brand, and you’re happy to pay a bit more for that, the SR964NGH represents solid value over the long term.
The Smeg Victoria SR964NGH is a stylish, well-built 60cm gas hob that focuses on doing the basics exceptionally well. Its powerful wok burner, sturdy cast iron supports and simple rotary controls make everyday cooking feel controlled and satisfying, and the black enamel finish pairs neatly with a wide range of ovens.
It isn’t the most feature-packed hob on the market, and if you’re looking for timers, child locks or touch controls, you may want to explore more modern, digitally-focused alternatives. However, the strong user rating, LPG compatibility and solid safety features indicate that it delivers where it counts.
If you value traditional gas cooking with a premium aesthetic and don’t mind paying a little extra for Smeg’s design and build quality, the Victoria SR964NGH is an excellent fit for a wide range of homes and cooking styles.